Media trials affect freedom of judiciary, says CJI Ramana

Ranchi: Chief Justice of India N V Ramana on Saturday called out the electronic and social media for their biased views and attacks on the judiciary, including judges, but appreciated the print media, saying it still has a certain degree of accountability.
In his keynote address, ‘Life of a Judge’, delivered during the Justice SB Sinha Memorial Inaugural Lecture at the Judicial Academy here, the CJI said, “Media is running kangaroo courts on issues where even experienced judges find it difficult to decide. Biased views propagated by the media are affecting the people, weakening democracy and harming the judicial system.”
The CJI further said, “Print media still has a certain degree of accountability whereas the electronic media has zero accountability as what it shows vanishes into thin air. Still worse is social media. Stricter media regulations and accountability are required.”
Cautioning the media over its “concerted and agenda-driven attacks”, he added, “It should not overstep and invite interference either from the government or the courts. Judges may not react immediately. Please don’t mistake it for weakness or helplessness.”
On the life of a judge, CJI Ramana highlighted the challenges faced by the judicial fraternity.