Media Gag in Justice Karnan Case Unfair: Journos Question SC Order

The SC has ruled that print and electronic media can no longer publish Justice Karnan’s statements.

In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court, on 9 May, held a sitting judge guilty of contempt of court. Justice CS Karnan was sentenced to six months imprisonment by the apex court – a day after the Calcutta High Court judge “sentenced” the Chief Justice of India, and seven other judges, to five years of rigorous imprisonment.

But that was not all. Passing the judgement, the SC directed both print and electronic media to “restrain” from publishing Karnan’s statements, reported Live Law.

Also Read: Justice Karnan’s Jail Term: SC Says He Has to be Seen as a Citizen

'How Do We Report After Media Gag?’

The media fraternity was quick to question the gag order. Journalists Shekhar Gupta and Rajdeep Sardesai were among the many media personnel who questioned the gag order on Twitter.

How will the Lordships enforce this King Canute-style gag order? What if Karnan blogs, writes an FB post? Will they jail Zuckerberg/Nadella?

— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) May 9, 2017

Justice Karnan to address a press conference shortly. But how do we report after the Supreme Court's gag order?

— Lakshmi Subramanian (@lakhinathan) May 9, 2017

Justice Karnan becomes first sitting HC judge to be sent to jail! But shouldn't SC at least allow him to speak? Why gag order? @IndiaToday

— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) May 9, 2017

What if Justice Karnan starts posting his comments online? Say on @twitter and what happens if people retweet those tweets?

— Kushan Mitra (@kushanmitra) May 9, 2017

In an earlier case in January, a SC bench had ruled against any pre-publication media restraint. In effect, the apex court noted that no complaint can be levelled against a telecast or publication before the content is made public.

‘What A Precedent’

The order did not find favour with a number of other Twitter users, who questioned the implications of the move.

Supreme Court calls for media gag order against #Karnan.What message will it give? Freedom of Expression not applicable when it is abt SC?

— Abhinandan Mishra (@mishra_abhi) May 9, 2017

#SC sends Justice Karnan to Jail, Gags Media from Publishing reports. Ye kaha aa gaye hum???#Karnan #democracy

— Gautaam Mulchandani (@irocks19) May 9, 2017

So what if a newspaper reports Justice Karnan's statements? Does the Supreme Court send the editor and reporter to prison? Under which law?

— Ashok Malik (@MalikAshok) May 9, 2017

SC orders gag on reportage of comments by Justice Karnan. Its a seven-judge bench. Wonder what implications it will have as a precedent !!

— Parimal Peeyush (@parimal_peeyush) May 9, 2017