NEW DELHI: : Cautioning against “sensationalism” by TV channels in reporting the ongoing investigation against environmental activist Disha Ravi, the Delhi high court on Friday, however, declined to order at this stage removal of content already aired by them. Justice Prathiba M Singh said that a “balance needs to be struck” between the right to fair trial and privacy of Disha on one hand and the public’s right to know besides the sovereignty/integrity of the country.
In its order, the HC asked media houses to ensure that no leaked investigation material is broadcast as it could affect the probe.
The court directed Delhi Police to abide by its stand in its affidavit that it has not leaked, nor intends to leak any probe details to the press. “The question that arises is what should be the ad interim directions that ought to be passed, if any, in order to ensure that all the three aspects — the petitioner’s privacy, dignity and right to a fair trial, sovereignty and integrity of the country and the right to free speech are equally protected and balanced,” the court noted.
“The recent coverage by the media definitely shows that there is sensationalism,” the HC observed during the hearing on Disha’s plea to restrain police from leaking to the media any probe material. The HC pointed out that while a journalist cannot be asked to reveal the source, “it would have to be ensured that the source ought to be a verified source and the content ought not to be merely speculative or conjectural”.
Meanwhile, some of the news channels said the source of information in the present case was Delhi Police and its tweets. The HC maintained that police would be entitled to hold press briefings.