“The unfolding of the debate in the court of law is equally important and the media has a duty to report. It’s not just our judgments that are significant,” says Justice DY Chandrachud. A bench comprising Justices DY Chandrachud and MR Shah said that the reporting of the court discussion brings more accountability.
Report by: Yatish Kumar Goel, Advocate www.gcsl.in
Media cannot be stopped from reporting oral observations made in a courtroom, as people are entitled to know how the judicial process unfolds through the dialogue between the bench and the bar, the Supreme Court said on May 3, 2021
The court was hearing a plea filed by the Election Commission against a Madras High Court’s observation that the poll panel was “singularly responsible for COVID second wave” and that its officers “should probably be booked for murder”.
“We cannot say that the media cannot report the contents of the discussions in a court of law. Discussion in a court of law are of equal public interest, and I would put it on the same pedestal as the final order,” said Justice DY Chandrachud, who along with Justice MR Shah is hearing the case.
“Discussions in the court is a dialogue between bar and bench. The unfolding of the debate in the court of law is equally important and the media has a duty to report. It’s not just our judgments that are significant.” Justice Chandrachud said.
A bench said the reporting of the court discussion brings more accountability for the judges and fosters public’s confidence in the judicial process.