Media must not encroach upon right to privacy: Chief Justice of India

Balakrishnan was addressing a gathering attended by Supreme Court and High Court judges, court reporters, media persons and eminent lawyers after inaugurating a workshop on Reporting of Court Proceedings by Media and Administration of Justice at the Bombay High Court on Sunday.

“Privacy of the person must be protected. Sometimes damaging information is revealed during the investigation. It adversely affects people’s right to a fair trial,” he said.

CJI also criticized the practice of police officers to reveal information to media during the investigation. “It encroaches upon right to privacy,” he added.

CJI Balkrishnan, however, conceded that newspapers can not be as drab as government gazettes. “A tinge of sensationalism is necessary,” he said. He also stated that they are contemplating ongiving training to journalists on how to report on court cases.

Earlier, Justice Arijit Pasayat of the Supreme Court said in his speech soon the Supreme Court would appoint a Press Relations Officer, so that information becomes easily accessible to reporters.

Also, at the High Court level, “we are exploring the possibility of appointing PROs,” he said.

Chief Justice of Bombay High Court Swatanter Kumar said on this occasion that High Court was contemplating formation of a court bar and media committee, for resolution of contentious issues related to legal reporting.

Speaking on behalf of the media, Editor of Times Now, Arnab Goswami, questioned on why can’t media be judgemental? “World has changed. Why can’t media be judgemental?” he asked while pointing out the issues where the media had stepped in for getting justice.

“It is preposterous to even think that anyone can control media,” he said.

Senior Editor of NDTV, Srinivas Jain stated that “in theory at least, there should be a synergy between the judiciary and media.”

He stressed the need for a psychological ease for the two institutions to work hand in hand and opined that the walls should be breached and there should be more transparency and openness to ideas like allowing camera in courts just like in western countries.

Stating that it is a delicate balancing exercise, former Attorney General of India, Soli Sorabji stated that there should be some regulations to prevent lawyers and police officers from talking to the media during the pendency or investigation of a case.

Justice Bilal Nazki of the Bombay High Court averred that judges are sometimes scared about their credibility due to the pressure from media as people might label the judge as corrupt for giving a wrong judgement.

“We will protect your independence and you protect our independence,” Justice Nazki said.

The one-day workshop touched upon topics such as freedom of media, reporting of sub-judice matters and ‘trial by media’.