SC Issues Orders To Prepare Appropriate Guidelines Of Media Briefing On Crimes

New Delhi, Sep 13 (TNA) The Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday passed an order regarding the issue of guidelines pertaining to media briefings given by police when an offence takes place. "Media reportage which implicates an accused is unfair. Biased reporting also gives rise to public suspicion that the person has committed an offence. The media reports can also violate the privacy of victims”, the apex court observed.

It also directed all state DGPs within one month of todays order communicate to MHA for the preparation of the appropriate guidelines and MHA shall prepare the same after considering views received from the state DGPs and also by consulting other stakeholders. NHRC has also prepared its response to the questionnaire circulated by amicus. MHA shall complete the exercise within 3 months.

CJI DY Chandrachud said disclosure made by the police during media briefings should be objective in nature and not of subjective nature having a bearing on the guilt of the accused.