Freedom of press and accountability are important: HC, Pg10

Key Highlights:

• The Delhi High Court, on July 16, observed that individuals using mobile phones and microphones often proclaim themselves as "reporters" without adequate training or accountability.
• Justice Girish Kathpalia made these remarks while granting bail to two individuals accused of assaulting freelance reporters for a YouTube channel in Delhi’s Seemapuri area.
• The court emphasized that while press freedom is vital, it cannot be a shield for irresponsible journalism or content that jeopardizes public order.
• It called for the legislature to consider an appropriate regulatory framework to balance press freedom with professional accountability and ethical standards.

Detailed Insights:

• The incident involved freelance reporters recording a video at an allegedly unauthorized place of worship, which agitated local residents.
• The court noted that the assaulted reporters were not associated with any accredited news organization, highlighting the unregulated nature of a significant section of digital media.
• The proliferation of social media and digital platforms has led to a rise in "self-styled reporters" who may lack journalistic ethics and accountability.
• The court expressed concern that such conduct can create misleading narratives, deepen social divisions, and potentially trigger communal disharmony.
• Freedom of the Press is implicitly protected under Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution, but it is subject to reasonable restrictions under Article 19(2).
• Existing regulatory bodies like the Press Council of India (PCI) primarily oversee print media and have limited enforcement powers, while digital media is largely governed by the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Freedom of the Press: The right to circulate ideas, opinions, and information, considered an integral part of Article 19(1)(a) of the Indian Constitution.
• Accountability in Media: The responsibility of journalists and media organizations to adhere to ethical standards, accuracy, and public interest.
• Regulatory Framework: A system of rules and laws established by the legislature to govern an industry, in this case, to ensure ethical conduct and accountability in media.