Delhi Protests: Everyone Is a Reporter Under Freedom of Expression, SC Flags Difficulty in Protecting Real Journalists
The bench questioned whether press freedom extends to every citizen as it weighed calls for a national protocol to protect independent reporters.
- On Thursday, The Supreme Court heard PILs seeking safeguards for freelance journalists and reel-makers covering protests, examining the scope of press freedom protections.
- Submissions focused on allegations that Delhi Police obstructed independent journalists, insisting on Press Information Bureau accreditation for reporters covering protest sites.
- Senior advocate Indira Jaising argued for a national protocol, proposing that Journalists carrying employer-issued identity cards should perform duties without police obstruction.
- CJI Surya Kant cautioned that broadly recognizing everyone as a Journalist could create difficulties, stating, "If Everyone Becomes A Journalist..." while questioning universal status.
- Justice Joymalya Bagchi pointed to Different Categories of workers, including freelancers and influencers, noting the court will examine if freedom of expression empowers every citizen to claim Journalist status.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Freelancers, Reel-Makers At Protests: SC Flags Challenges In Defining Journalists’ Rights
<p>The Supreme Court on Thursday raised concerns over the scope of press freedom protections as it heard public interest litigations (PILs) seeking safeguards for freelance and independent journalists, as well as reel-makers covering protests.</p> <p>A bench comprising Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi was hearing submissions on allegations that Delhi Police did not recognise independent journalists covering pro…
'If every citizen becomes a journalist it will create problem', says SC on women reporter's alleged assault
The proceedings form part of a batch of petitions concerning the October 10-11 protests in Delhi. The Court had earlier identified four broad sets of matters before it, including pleas concerning alleged detentions of peaceful protesters, attacks on lawyers and journalists, and alleged non-compliance with its earlier directions concerning restrictions imposed during the protests.
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LatestlyDelhi protests: Everyone is a reporter under freedom of expression, SC flags difficulty in protecting real journalists
The Supreme Court on Thursday verbally observed that it becomes difficult to demarcate and protect legitimate reporters accredited to credible news organisations who qualify as journalists, when the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 enables every citizen to claim the space of a journalist, while considering a plea alleging harassment, assault and detention of journalists during the October 10 protests in Delhi.
supreme court called the identity and security of genuine journalists a big challenge
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