SC bars posting, uploading court proceedings on social media without prior permission
Taking note of rampant misuse, a SC bench headed by CJI Surya Kant imposes a blanket interim ban on extracting, posting judicial proceedings
The Supreme Court on Friday (July 24) barred posting, reposting or uploading of audio-video recordings of court proceedings on social media and other digital platforms without prior permission of the concerned Secretary General of the apex court or the Registrar Generals of the High Courts.
A bench of Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana also sought responses from the Centre and others on a plea raising the misuse of live-streaming and circulation of videos of court proceedings on social media.
Interim curb imposed
“As an interim measure, it is directed that there shall be no extraction, modification, dissemination… posting, reposting and uploading of audio-video visual recordings of judicial proceedings on social media or other digital platforms without prior permission of the secretary general of this court or the registrar general of the jurisdictional high courts,” the bench said.
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The order was issued during the hearing of a PIL filed by journalist Harshita Grover who sought guidelines regulating the clipping, editing, dissemination and monetisation of video footages of court proceedings on digital platforms.
PIL seeks safeguards
The petition argues that the dignity of courts and public confidence in the judiciary gets adversely affected by the selective and decontextualised circulation of courtroom exchanges, reported Live Law.
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The apex court also issued notice regarding the petition along with directing the Centre to submit a proposal listing nodal ministries which will be tasked with implementing the relieves sought in the petition.
Centre asked to respond
Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, highlighted the misuse of videos of court proceedings on social media and other digital platforms.
Solicitor General Tushar Mehta agreed with Singh and said there has to be some regulation.
(With agency inputs)