Delhi High Court asks magazine to file explanation on how it managed to interview suspected terrorists in police custody
Delhi High Court asks magazine to file explanation on how it managed to interview suspected terrorists in police custody
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media circus: TV channels were accused of having crossed the line while reporting the Batla House encounter in New Delhi last year |
Disturbed by the commercial aspect of news coverage, the Delhi High Court yesterday said the media needed to have a type of "self-imposed restriction" while handling sensitive issues.
"There has to be some sort of self-imposed restriction. It's very disturbing and there is a commercial aspect in every thing," the court said, while directing a news magazine to file its response on how it managed to get statements of three suspected terrorists after they were taken into custody by the police for their alleged involvement in Delhi serial blasts.
"We want you (the magazine) to come clean on how you have conducted the interview and how the police allowed you to meet them. You must file an affidavit," a Bench comprising Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Sanjeev Khanna said.
The court passed the order on a petition filed by an NGO, Act Now For Harmony and Democracy, seeking action against police officials for allegedly leaking confessional statements made before them by the suspected terrorists.
GuidelinesThe News Broadcasters Association, has approached the court pleading that framing of any guidelines would affect the coverage of sensitive issues. "We have a code of ethics and standards, and the issuance of any guidelines in respect of the matter will invariably affect the coverage of sensitive news," the counsel appearing for the Association said.
