Improve your system and mitigate the harm: Karnataka HC to Deccan Herald and other TV channels who published false news

The Karnataka High Court today directed Deccan Herald and three other local channels "to come out with mitigating and preventive measures" for publishing a false article which wrongly stated that Rupees 9 crores was seized from the residence of a City Civil Court..A Division bench of Chief Justice Abhay Sreeniwas Oka and Justice Hemant Chandangoudar stated that, .The way out for you is to improve your system and mitigate the harm. Do something which will mitigate the offence.Karnataka High Court.Chief Justice Oka further stated that, "We cannot compel you to disclose your source. But what is the mechanism that you have introduced to make sure that this does not happen again?" He noted that the news item showed the judicial institution in very poor light. The Chief Justice added that it was a solution that the court was looking for and not sending the wrong doers to jail. In the second contempt petition against TV channels that broadcasted a video clip of a person counting notes while reporting the fake news, the Court queried whether attempts were made by the them to verify the correctness of the matter. The Court expressed its dissatisfaction in the matter, even though the Counsel appearing for the petitioner assured the Court that the news item was taken down the same day itself. It was also submitted that no such news was circulated in WhatsApp or any other social media platforms. The counsel accepted that the news was not based on any verified information and that it was a mistake on the part of the channels. The Court then questioned the petitioners about the disciplinary action that they had taken against the wrong doers. .What disciplinary action have you taken against the wrong doers? Atleast DeccanHerald has carried out a suspension and is conducting disciplinary enquiry on the matter.CJ Abhay Oka.The Court also asked the TV channels the object of showing the clip to the public and further enquired about authenticity of the clip."If there was no raid conducted then how could you show a clip of notes being counted? You must explain that... What was the object of showing that clip? What impression will a common man carry after seeing it? Who has prepared that clip?".Justice Oka also stated that in order to accept the unconditional apologies rendered by the respective news channels, the Court would have to look into their bonafides. The Court finally directed all the respondents to collectively look into what could be done in order to mitigate the harm towards the state Judiciary.The Court has posted both the contempt petitions for January 24. The Court also forewarned that it would not make any more suggestions to the parties and that it would directly go into the affidavits in the next hearing.."We will not give anymore suggestions, we will go through the affidavits and mitigating circumstances and if we are satisfied, we will accept the apology or hear the learned Advocate General and proceed with the case.".Follow Bar and Bench channel on WhatsAppDownload the Bar and Bench Mobile app for instant access to the latest legal news.