New Delhi, Aug. 5 -- The Supreme Court has clarified that its recent interim order restricting the use of audio and video recordings of court hearings does not stop recognised news organisations from reporting on judicial proceedings.
The clarification came after the court noted that "some confusion persists" over its July 24 interim order, which barred the posting and uploading of audio and video recordings of court proceedings on social media and other digital platforms without prior permission from the court administration.
A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the restriction applies only to the use of audio and video recordings in news reports and should not be read as a complete ban on media coverage of court proceedings.
"It appears, however, that some confusion persists in respect of paragraph 11 of the earlier order, which this court deems necessary to clarify. The said paragraph makes it clear that the order is not to be construed as imposing a blanket prohibition on the reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets," the bench said in its July 31 order.
The court said recognised news organisations can continue reporting on hearings and keep the public informed about legal developments and judicial decisions. However, they cannot use audio or video clips of court proceedings while doing so.
"In sum, while news outlets may continue to report on the court proceedings, they shall nonetheless remain bound by the restrictions set out in paragraph 10," the bench added.
Under paragraph 10 of the July 24 order, "there shall be no extraction, modification, dissemination, monetisation, posting, reposting and uploading of audio-video 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 Supreme Court had earlier issued notices to the Centre and other respondents, including several social media platforms, seeking their replies to a petition filed by journalist Harshita Grover.
Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Vikas Singh told the court that the issue raised in the plea was of significant importance.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.