New Delhi: The Supreme Court has shown strictness with the loophole in the existing self-regulation mechanism for monitoring TV news channels. Pointing out the lacunae in the existing self-regulation mechanism, the Supreme Court on Monday said it wanted to make it more effective. Also, in this matter, the apex court has sought a response from the central government.
There was uncontrollability in the death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput
In the media coverage of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case, a case of uncontrollability came to the fore. The Supreme Court indicated that it would issue guidelines on the uncontrollability of media coverage.
Media trial contempt of court
The top court also said that the maximum penalty that can be imposed on a TV news channel for violation of the self-regulation mechanism is only Rs one lakh, which was fixed in 2008. The High Court had said that the media trial is contempt of court. It urged the press not to cross the Lakshman Rekha. The High Court held the coverage of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case by certain news channels to be contemptuous.
Supreme Court does not want to impose censorship on the media
A bench headed by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud made it clear that it does not want to impose any censorship on the media. However, the apex court also emphasized that the self-regulation mechanism for news channels should be effective. Said that some channels had gone out of control during the coverage of actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case.
Self-regulation system can be strengthened
The top court asked NBDA i.e. News Broadcasters and Digital Association (NBDA) to discuss the issue with News Broadcasting and Digital Standards Authority Chairman Justice (Retd) AK Sikri and former Chairman Justice (Retd) RV Raveendran. Hearing the NBDA’s plea against the Bombay High Court observation, the Supreme Court said that the self-regulation mechanism can be strengthened after taking into account all the existing material by taking inputs from former judges of the apex court.
