Media can report court proceedings but audio/video clips of hearings can't be circulated: Supreme Court

The Supreme Court recently clarified that its earlier interim order regulating the use of audio and video recordings of court proceedings does not prohibit recognised news organisations from reporting on hearings.

The earlier order had restricted the extraction and dissemination of audio and video recordings of court proceedings without prior permission. It had also stated that the directions would not affect reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets.

In the July 31 order, a Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V Mohana noted that some confusion had nevertheless persisted over that clarification.

The Court, therefore, clarified,

"The order is not to be construed as imposing a blanket prohibition on the reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets. Such outlets may, therefore, continue to report on the proceedings and inform the general public of legal developments and judicial pronouncements, save that audio or video clips of the court proceedings shall not be utilised in the course of such reportage."

The Court, however, made it clear that while courtroom reporting remains unaffected, recognised news outlets must continue to comply with the restrictions imposed under its earlier interim order.

The clarification relates to the Court's July 24 interim order, which barred the extraction, dissemination, monetisation, posting, reposting, uploading, transmitting, modification, storing and hosting of audio-video recordings of judicial proceedings on social media and other digital platforms without prior permission.

Such permission must now be obtained from the Secretary General of the Supreme Court or the Registrar General of the concerned High Court.

Even while issuing those interim directions, the Court had expressly stated that its order would not affect media reporting of court proceedings.

"It is clarified that this order shall have no bearing on the reporting of Court proceedings by recognized news outlets," it had said.

Additionally, the Court had directed the Union government to place before it a proposal, formulated in consultation with the nodal ministries, to give effect to the prayers in the petition.

It had also asked all High Courts to file status reports on the adoption of the Model Rules for Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings and explain the feasibility of continuous, uninterrupted live streaming.

The matter is listed for further hearing on September 18.

[Read Order]