advertisement
“Do you have any respect for the dead?” the Bombay High Court on Wednesday, 21 October, asked Republic TV, with regard to its coverage of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise, according to LiveLaw. The court also reportedly said, “It is so unfortunate.”
The HC bench, comprising of Chief Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice GS Kulkarni, continued to hear PILs filed against “Media Trials” amid the coverage of Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case. The pleas reportedly seek regulations in the media coverage of the case.
The court also heard the lawyers of Times Now, Zee News, AAJ Tak, India TV and ABP News. Further, it reminded news channels that they were not judges or prosecutors, and if they wanted to unearth the truth, they ought to look at the Criminal Procedure Code.
The hearing will continue on Friday, 23 October, at 12 noon.
WHAT DID REPUBLIC TV’S LAWYER SAY?
According to Live Law, advocate Malvika Trivedi, appearing for Republic TV, alleged that something was amiss in the Mumbai Police probe of the actor’s death, which is also why, she claimed, the apex court had asked CBI to investigate the incident.
She also stated that the channel was merely highlighting the facts that were not otherwise brought on record. The channel further reportedly claimed that it was Republic TV’s investigative journalism that shed light on the real facts in Sheena Bora murder case and Sunanda Pushkar case.
The channel further reportedly argued that in Sushant’s case it was media efforts that led to the investigations
Advocate Trivedi also said that redressal mechanisms are available, and that as neither of the personally aggrieved parties were present, the issues could not be adjudicated in PILs, reported LiveLaw.
WHAT DID THE COURT SAY?
Expressing it’s disapproval for Republic TV’s reportage of Sushant Singh Rajput’s demise, the court said:
The bench, according to LiveLaw, referred to Republic TV’s #ArrestRhea campaign, and asked: “Is this part of investigative journalism?”
The court further, according to LiveLaw, told Republic TV to look at the Criminal Procedure Code if they are so interested in unearthing the truth.
The court also said with respect to press freedom: “We are not for a moment suggesting that the media's throat should be throttled. We are only on the short point as to whether the Programme Code is violated or not and whether your reporting contravenes any of the laid down norms or not.”
Mumbai High Court asked Republic TV to do what it wants to within boundaries, and not cross them.
WHAT DID TIMES NOW’S LAWYER SAY?
Advocate Kunal Tandon, appearing for Times Now, reportedly said:
The lawyer pointed out that “self-regulation” has been accepted in the statute that governs cable television.
Among other things, Tandon argued with regard to defamation, that “people in public life have to be thick skinned.”
WHAT DID THE COURT SAY?
According to Bar and Bench, the court asked Advocate Kunal Tandon appearing for Times Now: “If matter is under investigation, how far is it acceptable for media to report?”
WHAT DID ZEE NEWS’ LAWYER SAY?
“I as a news channel have been complying. We have made mistakes, we may be corrected. A mistake or two cannot lead to a situation where the entire law will be affected,” said advocate Ankit Lohia, appearing for Zee News.
Further arguing that there is no need for a separate legislation to keep the media in check, Lohia reportedly said:
The lawyer also said if a victim’s rights have been affected by the actions of the media, they are free to approach the court.
WHAT DID THE COURT SAY?
Responding to Zee News’ arguments, the court reportedly asked how will a person living in a remote area get justice after damage has been done to him by activities of a news channel.
(With inputs from LiveLaw, Bar and Bench).
(At The Quint, we question everything. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member today.)