Frame guidelines on police media briefings: SC to govt

Supreme Court cracks down on media trials, biased reporting

For a "fair and unbiased” media coverage of criminal cases under investigation and noting the sweeping changes in media reporting that have taken place over a decade, the Supreme Court on Wednesday directed the Central government to prepare a new manual to lay down guidelines as to how police officers should brief media about the cases under investigation.

Heading a Bench also comprising Justices Pamidighantam Sri Narasimha and Manoj Misra, Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud asked the Union Home Ministry to prepare a manual on media briefings by police, particularly in sensitive cases, protecting the sanctity of the investigation and the rights of both the accused and the victim.

Stating that biased reporting also gives rise to public suspicion that the person has committed an offence. The media reports can also violate the privacy of victims,” the Bench said that biased reporting would harm the reputations of both the accused and the victims and it has the potential of derailing the investigation.