New Delhi: A Bench of the Supreme Court
on Monday expressed its displeasure over the reporting of court
proceedings by the media saying observations made by it are
often reported out of context leaving no scope for the judges
to defend themselves.
"A judge cannot come out to say and clarify about the
report. A judge cannot defend what has been reported. We have
to swallow as it is. It is not our culture to go to the press
and say...," Justice Markandey Katju said.
"That is our culture, I cannot go to the press," he
said.
The unhappiness of the Bench, also comprising Justice
A K Ganguly, came out during a hearing of petitions relating
to students union elections in universities.
The Bench expressed concern that the media was not
reporting the observations made by it in correct perspective
which otherwise would not be reported as it did not form
part of its order or proceedings.
"The journalists are reporting those things which are
not part of the order. Those things which are not part of the
order should not be reported. These are highly sensitive
issue.
"Journalists also have a duty to do. They have the
duty to preserve the sanctity of the court proceedings,"
Justice Ganguly said.
The Bench had taken exception to a report in a section
of the media that it had questioned the appointment of
Committee headed by former Chief Election Commissioner J M
Lyngdoh to go into the issue of students union elections.
Bureau Report
