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The Importance of Responsible Court Reporting
Context:
Recent cases highlight the importance of responsible media coverage of judicial proceedings. Sensationalising selected quotes and reporting observations without context can interfere with justice and erode public trust.
Sensationalised Reporting and Its Risks
- Selective reporting of judicial observations without context can distort the actual meaning behind a judge’s remarks.
- Sensationalism interferes with free and fair judicial proceedings, creating misleading narratives.
Digital Age and the Spread of Misinformation
- Court proceedings are often reported online first before appearing in print, leading to piecemeal reporting.
- The rush to break news first results in prejudicial reporting, influencing public perception before full details are available.
Misrepresentation of Judicial Observations
- Judges’ oral remarks are often quoted out of context, making them appear as official rulings rather than discussion points.
- In one case, a Supreme Court judge’s observation on election “freebies” was widely misinterpreted, despite being unrelated to the case at hand.
- Another case involving a YouTuber saw the focus shift to the judge’s comments rather than the actual ruling.
The Role of Oral Observations in Court Proceedings
- Judges raise questions during hearings to challenge counsels and stimulate legal debate, not as final judgments.
- These remarks provide insights into judicial reasoning, allowing lawyers to refine their arguments.
- Observations do not form part of the final court order but help in shaping legal discourse.
The Chilling Effect on Judicial Expression
- Sensationalised reporting could discourage judges from expressing their thoughts freely in court.
- Judges do not have the opportunity to respond to misinterpreted or misrepresented statements, leading to public backlash.
- This restraint could hinder open discussions essential for a fair judicial process.
Public Trust in the Judiciary at Stake
- The judiciary relies on public confidence to function effectively.
- Misleading reports can erode this trust, creating unnecessary controversies around judicial proceedings.
The Need for Balanced Court Reporting
- While media freedom is essential, it must not come at the cost of undermining judicial independence.
- The press should report accurately and responsibly, ensuring that legal discussions are not misrepresented.
Upholding Fearlessness in Judicial Decision-Making
- Former Chief Justice DY Chandrachud emphasised the need for judges to be fearless in decision-making, citing a Kannada writer’s analogy of a bird trusting its wings rather than the branch it sits on.
- The judiciary must continue to function boldly and independently, without fear of misrepresentation.
