Media and Law

MEDIAANDLAW*GNRay

Dearfriends,itisindeedaprivilegetocommunicatewithyouthroughthemediumofthisNationalSeminaronMediaandLaw.Iwish tosharemyviewson thesubject in thedualroleofaformerSupremeCourtJudgeandalsopractisinglawforseveralyearsandasChairmanofthePressCouncilofIndia,whichisanApexbodyofthePrintMedia.ThereisneedtodiscusstheprivilegesandspecificrightsgrantedbytheStatetothemediapersonsandthoseenjoyedbythejudiciaryundertheConstitution.ThisSeminar,Iamtoldwilltakeusthroughthelargerissuesthatarebotheringthesocietytheissuewhetherthemediaiscrossinglimitsincommentingoncelebritiesandencroachingontheprivacyofpublicfigures,blackmailingthoseinauthorityandpromotingtrialbymediaincasespendingconsiderationbeforethevariouscourtsofthecountry.Iamsure,severalviewswillbepresentedoverthenexttwodaysandconcretesuggestionswillemergefromtheaugustaudiencepresenthere.This twoway communication will be vital for healthy growth and fruitful result of thisSeminar.Freedomofthemediaisindeedanintegralpartofthefreedomofexpressionandessentialrequisiteofademocraticsetup.TheIndianConstitutionhasgrantedthisfreedomby way of Fundamental Right. The media, which is obligated to respect the rights ofindividual, isalsoobligatedtoworkwithin the frameworkof legalprinciplesandstatutes.These principles/statutes have been framed by way of minimum standards and do notintendtodetractfromhigherstandardsofprotectiontothefreedomofexpression.

ThemediaistheFourthlimbofademocraticsystem,thelegislature,executiveandjudiciarybeingtheotherthree.While legislaturepreparesthe lawforthesocietyandtheexecutivetakesstepsforimplementingthem,thethirdsteppingstoneisthejudiciary,whichhastoensurelegalityofallactionsanddecisions.TheFourthEstate i.e.thepresshastooperatewithintheframeworkofthesestatutesandconstitutionalprovisiontoactinpublicandnational interest. This is indicativeof the fact thatnobody is above law. When theConstitutionofIndiaguaranteedfreedomofexpressionandspeechtoitscitizens,itensuredthatthefreedomwasnotabsoluteandanyexpression,bywayofwords,speechorvisualmedium,didnotviolateanystatutoryprovisionsenactedbylegislatureandexecutedbytheexecutive. If the media, electronic or print, exceeded its jurisdiction, the courts cameforward to ensure that violation of the Fundamental rights by the media does not gounchecked.

ThePressCouncilofIndia,whichIrepresentheretodayas itsChairman,wasbornoutof theanxietyofourconstitutional fathers toensurethatdemocracycanflourishonly

where its citizensenjoy full freedomof speechandexpression subjectonly to reasonablerestrictions.ThepressisrightlycoveredwithintheambitofArticle19(1)(a)evenwithoutanexpressmention.However,once the freedomstrugglewasover itwas realised thatanewkindofpresswasemerginginthepostindependenceerawhoseaimsandobjectswereundergoingfastchange.TheFirstPressCommissionsetup in1954examinedthe issue indepthandproposed theestablishmentof aPressCouncil asapeerbodyby regulate theconduct of their own brethren without any outside or governmental interference. Similarbodies were functional in several other democracies, but these were primarily voluntaryorganisations.InIndia, itwasdeemedmoreappropriate togive theCouncil thestatutorybacking affording due weightage of its adjudications and pronouncements. The PressCouncilofIndiahassincefunctionedlikeaCourtofHonour,guidingtheprintmediaalongthepathof ethical conduct andat the same timeprotecting it fromanyonslaughton itsfreedom.

ThePressCouncilalsofunctionsasanadvisorybodytothegovernmentonmattersaffecting press freedom and has rendered valuable advise on several legislations. Thesecover theareasof libel, invasionofprivacy, right to information,parliamentaryprivileges,PreventionofTerroristActivities,OfficialSecrets,andmanymore.Lately,thePressCouncilhad advised the Parliament on Truth being accepted as a defence in contempt of courtproceedings,andtheenactmentincorporatingtheseprovisionsinContemptofCourtActhasrecentlybeenpassed. Similarly, theCouncilhasdrawnupasetofnormsonmedia reportingoncourtproceedings.Itwillbeappropriatetorefertothemindetailhere.

"Cautionincriticizingjudicialacti)Exceptingwherethecourtsitsincameraordirectsotherwise,itisopentoa

newspaper to report pending judicial proceedings, in a fair, accurate andreasonablemanner.Butitshallnotpublishanything:

which, in its direct and immediate effect, creates a substantial risk ofobstructing,impedingorprejudicingseriouslythedueadministrationofjusticeor

isinthenatureofarunningcommentaryordebate,orrecordsthepapersown findings conjectures, reflection or comments on issues, sub judice andwhichmayamounttoabrogationtothenewspaperthefunctionsofthecourtor

regardingthepersonalcharacteroftheaccusedstandingtrialonachargeofcommittingacrime.

ii)Newspapershallnotasamatterofcaution,publishorcommentonevidencecollected as a result of investigative journalism, when, after the accused isarrestedandcharged,thecourtbecomesseizedofthecase:Norshouldtheyreveal, comment upon or evaluate a confession allegedly made by the

accused.iii)Whilenewspapersmay,inthepublicinterest,makereasonablecriticismofa

judicial act or the judgement of a court for public good they shall not castscurrilousaspersionson,or impute impropermotives,orpersonalbiastothejudge.Norshalltheyscandalizethecourtorthejudiciaryasawhole,ormakepersonalallegationsoflackofabilityorintegrityagainstajudge.

iv) Newspaper shall, as amatter of caution, avoid unfair and unwarrantedcriticismwhich,byinnuendo,attributestoajudgeextraneousconsiderationforperforming an act in due course of his/her judicial functions, even if suchcriticismdoesnotstrictlyamounttocriminalContemptofCourt.

b)ReportingnewspertainingtocourtproceedingsBeforepublishinganewsitemaboutcourtproceedings, itwillbeappropriateforthecorrespondentandeditortoascertainitsgenuinenessand,correctnessandauthenticity from the records so that the concernedpersoncanbeheldguilty and accountable for furnishing incorrect facts or wrong informationaboutthecourtproceedings.

Alotremainstobedonetoensurethattwoofthestrongestpillarsofourdemocracyi.e.thejudiciaryandthemediaworkintandemtopromotethedemocraticsecularprinciplesenshrinedinourconstitution.InternationalEfforts In 1994, a group of 39 distinguished legal experts andmedia representatives,convened by the International Commission of Jurists, its Centre for the Independence ofJudgesandLawyers,andtheSpanishCommitteeofUNICEF,metforthreedaysinMadrid,Spain.Theobjectivesofthemeetingwere

toexaminetherelationshipbetweenthemediaandjudicialindependence,toformulateprinciplestohelpthemediaandthejudiciarydeveloparelationshipthat

servesbothfreedomoftheexpressionandthejudicialindependence. TheparticipantscamefromBrazil,Sri Lanka,UnitedKingdom,Sweden, Jordan,Australia, Ghana, France, India, Spain, Germany, Austria, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,Portugal,Switzerland,Senegal,Palestine,Bulgaria,Croatia,andSlovakia.Thefollowingaretheprinciplesdrawnupatthemeet.The Madrid Principles on the Relationship between the Media and JudicialIndependence.Freedomofthemedia,whichisanintegralpartoffreedomofexpression,isessentialinademocraticsociety.Itistheresponsibilityofjudgestorecogniseandgiveeffecttofreedomofthemediabyapplyingabasicpresumptionintheirfavourandbypermittingonlysuchrestrictionsonfreedomofthemediaasareauthorised by the International Covenant in Civil and Political Rights("InternationalCovenant")andarespecifiedinpreciselaws.

Themediahaveanobligationtorespecttherightsofindividuals,protectedbytheInternationalCovenant,andtheindependenceofthejudiciary.Theseprinciplesaredraftedasminimumstandardsandmaynotbeusedtodetract from existing higher standards of protection of the freedom ofexpression.TheBasicPrinciple

1. Freedomofexpression(includingfreedomofthemedia)constitutesoneoftheessentialfoundationsofeverysocietywhichclaimstobedemocratic.Itisthefunctionandrightofthemediatogatherandconveyinformationtothepublicandtocommentontheadministrationofjustice,includingcasesbefore, during and after trial, without violating the presumption ofinnocence.

2. ThisprinciplecanonlybedepartedfrominthecircumstancesenvisagedintheInternationalCovenantinCivilandPoliticalRights,asinterpretedbythe1984SiracusaPrinciplesontheLimitationandDerogationProvisionsintheInternational Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, (UN DocumentE/CN.4/1984/4).

3. Therighttocommentontheadministrationofjusticeshallnotbesubjecttoanyspecialrestrictions.

ScopeoftheBasicPrinciple4. The basic principle does not exclude the preservation by law of secrecy

duringtheinvestigationofcrimeevenwhereinvestigationformspartofthejudicialprocess.Secrecyinsuchcircumstancesmustberegardedasbeingmainly for the benefit of persons who are suspected or accused and topreservethepresumptionofinnocence.Itshallnotrestricttherightofanysuch person to communicate to the Press information about theinvestigationofthecircumstancesbeinginvestigated.

5. Thebasicprincipledoesnotexclude theholding incameraofproceedingsintendedtoachieveconciliationorsettlementofprivatecause.

6. The basic principle does not require a right to broadcast live or recordedcourtproceedings.Wherethisispermitted,thebasicprincipleshallremainapplicable.

Restrictions

7. Any restriction of the basic principle must be strictly prescribed by law.

Whereanysuchlawconfersadiscretionorpower,thatdiscretionorpowermustbeexercisedonlybyajudge.

8. Where a judge has a power to restrict the basic principle and iscontemplatingtheexerciseofthatpower,themedia(aswellasanyotherperson affected) shall have the right to be heard for the purpose ofobjectingtotheexerciseofthatpowerand,ifexercised,arightofappeal.

9. Laws may authorise restrictions of the basic principle to that extentnecessary in a democratic society for the protection of theminors and ofmembersofothergroupsinneedofspecialprotection.

10.Lawsmayrestrictthebasicprincipleinrelationtocriminalproceedingsinthe interest of the administration of justice to the extent necessary in ademocraticsociety.

(a)forthepreventionofseriousprejudicetoadefendant(b) for the prevention of serious harm to or improper pressure beingplaceduponawitness,amemberofajury,oravictim.

11. Where a restriction of the basic principle is sought on the ground ofnational security, this should not jeopardise the right of the parties,includingtherightsofthedefence.Thedefenceandthemediashallhavethe right, to thegreatest extentpossible, to know thegroundsonwhichtherestrictionissought(subject,ifnecessary,toadutyofconfidentialityifthe restriction is imposed) and shall have the right to contest thisrestriction.

12. Incivilproceedings, restrictionsof thebasicprinciplemaybe imposed ifauthorised by law to the extent necessary in a democratic society topreventseriousharmtothelegitimateinterestofaprivateparty.

13.Norestrictionshallbeimposedinanyarbitraryordiscriminatorymanner.14.Norestrictionshallbeimposedexceptstrictlytotheminimumextentand

fortheminimumtimenecessarytoachieveitspurpose,andnorestrictionshall be imposed if amore limited restrictionwould be likely to achievethatpurpose. Theburdenofproof shall reston theparty requesting therestriction.

AnnexI

StrategiesofImplementation1. JudgesshouldreceiveguidanceindealingwiththePress.Judgesshouldbe

encouragedtoassistthepressbyprovidingsummariesof longorcomplexjudgements of matters of public interest and by other appropriatemeasures.

2. JudgesshallnotbeforbiddentoanswerquestionsfromthePressrelatingtothe administration of justice, though reasonable guidelines as to dealing

withsuchquestionsmaybeformulatedbythejudiciary,whichmayregulatediscussionofidentifiableproceedings.

3. Thebalancebetween independenceof the judiciary, freedomof the pressandrespectoftherightsoftheindividualparticularlyofminorsandotherpersonsinneedofspecialprotectionisdifficulttoachieve.Consequently,itisindispensablethatoneormoreofthefollowingmeasuresareplacedatthe disposal of affected persons or groups: legal recourse, Press Council,Ombudsmanforthepress,withtheunderstandingthatsuchcircumstancescan be avoided to a large extent by establishing a Code of Ethics for themediawhichshouldbeelaboratedbytheprofessionitself."

Mr.F.S.Nariman,thenotedjurist,hadonceobserved,AresponsiblePressisthehandmaiden of effective judicial administration. The Press does not simply publishinformation about cases and trials but, subjects the entire Justice hierarchy (police,prosecutors, lawyers,Judges,Courts),aswellasthejudicialprocesses,topublicscrutiny.Free and robust reporting, criticism and debate contribute to public understanding of therule of law, and to a better comprehension of the entire Justice system. It also helpsimprovethequalityofthatsystembysubjectingittothecleansingeffectofexposureandpublicaccountability.Theneedisthatthecourtsbecriticizedbutthereisjustasgreataneedthatcourtsbeallowedtodotheirdutyfearlessly.IwouldliketoconcludebyquotingMahatamaGandhi:oneoftheobjectsofanewspaperistounderstandthepopularfeelingandgiveexpressiontoit,anotheristoarouseamongthepeoplecertaindesirablesentiments,andthethirdisthefearlessnesstoexposepopulardefects.

Ihopethisseminarwoulddiscuss, intheabovecontext,therecentactivitiesofthemedia like the sting operations, invasion of the privacy of individual, trial by the mediaparallel to court trials and sensationalismand trivializationofnewsand information. Thequestion is not of the deficiency of law on media, but the observance and effectiveimplementationoftheexistinglaws.Withtheimpactofglobalisation,thescenarioinmediareporting has undergone and is still undergoing changes faster than anticipated. There isneed for deep introspection by media person charged with avowed orientation forBahujan Hitayaa Bahujana Sukhayaa cha. Being watchdog of the society themediapersonscannotafford tobeobliviouseven foramomentof its responsibilitiesandreasonable expectation of the society from them. Permit me to quote translated versionfromapoemofViswakaviRabindraNathThakur:

RemainsteadfastRemainawakelikeanightcandle,Inthishourofdarkness,ifyoufallasleepTherewhoneedyouhelpwillgobackdisappointed

Namaskar

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*AddressatUniversityLawCollege,VidhiBhawan,UniversityofRajasthanon27thMay2006at11.00a.m.ontheinaugurationofatwodaysSeminaronMediaandtheLaw