'We Will Stop Interacting': Delhi High Court Slams Media For Sensationalizing Its Oral Comments On Newslaundry Journalist

The Delhi High Court today expressed displeasure with certain media platforms for sensationalizing its oral remarks about Newslaundry journalist Manisha Pande, stating that its comments were taken out of context to make headlines.

The Court said it never intended to proceed against Pande yet, some of its comments were made into a separate poster, which were circulated in social media, inciting hate comments against her.

"Before we proceed, yesterday in the hearing, certain strong remarks were made (against Manisha Pande). We don't intend to act against that journalist or to prejudice their career or any such thing. And I think the counsels here were persons of maturity who understood the spirit in which those statements were made…..We are clarifying, we are not intending to proceed against her (Pande)," Justice C Hari Shankar said.

For context, a division bench also comprising Justice Om Prakash Shukla yesterday heard an appeal filed by TV Today group alleging defamation and disparagement of its copyright work by Newslaundry. The digital platform has also filed a cross appeal in the matter.

During the hearing, the Court had orally remarked that TV Today, which owns news channels India Today and Aaj Tak, was being "over sensitive" to Newslaundry's criticism and that only one of the 75 videos impugned by TV Today seemed to be objectionable.

In context of the said objectionable video anchored by Pande, the Court had made certain remarks which were widely reported in the media.

Referring to these reports, Justice Hari Shankar today said, "We are not trying to cut down or gag the media. We are not saying that you should not report this or report the statements made in court. But while doing so, keep in mind the consequences of that reporting. In yesterday's hearing, that one para was taken out and made subject matter of a separate post which then floated all over social media and thousands of hate messages were received after that. None of wants to be the person who are inviting hate messages. And immediately things are said “judges are acting against persons, they are going to throw people out of their jobs.” maybe even that legal platform did not intend the consequence but people pick it up. If thats going to be the consequence, what will happen is that we will stop interacting."

The judge said some of his brother judges have decided "not to speak at all".

"If we were to keep quiet, we wont get any reaction from the bar. We have no problem in reporting but see what is going to be the consequence. We clarify that we don't intend to do anything against the journalist (Pande). She may be a good journalist…The statement may be an aberration also. We don't know…I know some colleagues of mine who have decided not to speak at all. You can tell the journalist concerned that she need not be worried about it,” the Court said.