Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Aug 5: The Supreme Court on Wednesday clarified that its recent interim order on the use of audio and video recordings of court proceedings does not impose a blanket ban on reportage by recognised news organisations, though it reiterated that such outlets cannot use audio or video clips of judicial proceedings in their coverage.
A Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana issued the clarification after observing that "some confusion persists" regarding paragraph 11 of its July 24 interim order in a petition seeking implementation of a uniform framework for live-streaming and recording of court proceedings across the country.
Clarifying the scope of its earlier directions, the Bench said the order should not be interpreted as prohibiting recognised news organisations from reporting court proceedings.
The court said such organisations may continue reporting on judicial proceedings and informing the public about legal developments and court rulings, provided they do not use audio or video clips of the proceedings in their reports.
The Bench added that while news organisations are free to report court proceedings, they will continue to remain bound by the restrictions laid down in paragraph 10 of the July 24 order. It clarified that paragraph 11 of the earlier order stands modified to that extent.
The Supreme Court also granted four weeks' time to the respondents to file their counter affidavits and posted the matter for further hearing on September 18.
On July 24, the apex court had directed that audio and video recordings of judicial proceedings cannot be extracted, disseminated, monetised, posted, reposted, uploaded, transmitted, modified, stored or hosted on social media or any other digital platform without prior permission from the Secretary General of the Supreme Court or the Registrars General of the respective High Courts.
The interim directions were issued while the court took up a writ petition seeking a uniform framework for live-streaming and recording of court proceedings. Notices were issued to all High Courts, major social media intermediaries and technology platforms.
The apex court had also directed the Union government to place before it a proposal through the concerned ministries for implementing the reliefs sought in the petition. It further asked all High Courts to submit status reports on the adoption of the Model Rules for live-streaming and recording of court proceedings, including the feasibility of ensuring continuous and uninterrupted live streaming.