'Maybe, I'm Old School', Justice Rajiv Shakdher Reminisces About Doordarshan Days While Hearing Bollywood's Plea Against Republic TV, Times Now

While hearing the suit filed by Bollywood production houses against the alleged derogatory reporting by Republic TV and Times Now, Justice Rajiv Shakdher of the Delhi High Court reminisced about the Doordarshan days. 'We used to wait for that news broadcast on Doordarshan; it was clear and factual reporting', Justice Shakdher said. Justice Shakdher also commented on the new forms of visual techniques used by the media channels to report important issues. He said: 'On some channels, there are visuals of burning flames; I really don't get that aesthetic, maybe I'm old school.' The court was hearing a suit filed by multiple production houses seeking restraint on derogatory and defamatory reporting by certain media channels such as Republic TV, Times Now, and TV19 News. At the outset, the Single Bench of Justice Shakdher noted that such kind of sensational reporting is not restricted to India, but has become a global phenomena. 'Even trained and educated minds get affected by such a style of reporting. I ask all the parties, what mechanism should be put in place to change the way reporting is taking place these days.' The court went on to highlight the fate of Princess Diana, to observe that although the threshold of claiming privacy is higher for public figures, a great loss can be caused to them by dragging their private lives into public domain. It was also highlighted by Justice Shakdher that participants of these news channels debates get so excited that they end up using cuss words on live television. The court also clarified to all the Defendants that it is not asking the media channels to not to report certain cases. All that is being asked for, the court said, is that the self-regulation is maintained by complying with the Programme Code. Further, the court even highlighted that a great harm can be caused to a person's life due to unsubstantiated and speculative reporting. It said: 'There was a case where a school teacher was almost lynched by the public due to the irresponsible reporting by the media wherein he was stigmatised as a child sexual offender.' In the present matter, while asking the concerned media channels to submit a reply, the court directed for the strict compliance with the Programme Code and refrain from doing defamatory reporting.

'Maybe, I'm Old School', Justice Rajiv Shakdher Reminisces About Doordarshan Days While Hearing Bollywood's Plea Against Republic TV, Times Now

Karan Tripathi

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