Bombay High Court balances free press vs fair trial, writes Olav Albuquerque
The judges have pointed out that the media must report news without mixing opinion and comments. This will ensure that the people can form their own opinions by watching the reportage on news channels. Wisely, the judges felt the guidelines framed by various bodies such as the Press Council of India and the NBSA, apart from others, were sufficient to regulate news channels.
PTI
Judges have written reams on the independence of the judiciary while pontificating on freedom of the press. Judges mould and knead the Constitution, and specifically, the right to free speech and expression enshrined in Article 19 (1) (a), like malleable clay to suit the changing situation of society. While listening to contentious arguments, they have to balance conflicting rights of a free media versus the right to a fair trial of cheats, rapists, and economic offenders like Vijay Mallya and Nirav