Uttarakhand High Court Issues Stern Warning on Journalistic Ethics
In a significant ruling, the Uttarakhand High Court has emphasized that journalists must strictly adhere to a prescribed code of ethics, particularly when operating on digital and social media platforms. The court issued a strong warning, stating that failure to comply with these ethical standards could result in legal action. This directive comes amid growing concerns over unethical journalism practices in the online sphere.
Case Background and Court Proceedings
The remarks were made by a single bench of Justice Rakesh Thapliyal during the hearing of the case Himanshu Thakur vs State Govt and others on February 12. The court was informed that a "media bite" shared by petitioner Himanshu Thakur on social media allegedly damaged the reputation of Suman Singh, the branch manager of SBI Kunda in Kashipur. Singh reported that following the circulation of this media bite, she received repeated WhatsApp messages and faced departmental action, even though the original complaint against her by colleague Umesh Kumar had been withdrawn.
In response, Singh filed a case against Thakur under IPC section 308, which pertains to extortion, on February 2. Thakur subsequently approached the High Court to quash the FIR. During the proceedings, Singh's counsel highlighted the Norms of Journalistic Conduct, 2010, specifically pointing to clauses 2 and 3. These clauses mandate pre-publication verification and caution against defamatory writing. The court was informed that Thakur allegedly ignored these norms before circulating the media bite and made no attempt to verify the allegations with Singh or Kumar.
Court's Observations and Legal Implications
On this basis, the High Court observed, "If it so, then it appears to be in complete violation of the Rules, 2021, particularly clause 2 of the Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India." This statement underscores the court's stance on enforcing ethical journalism, especially in the context of digital media where information can spread rapidly without proper checks. The case has been listed for the next hearing in six weeks, indicating ongoing judicial scrutiny.
The court's warning serves as a reminder to all journalists and media professionals about the importance of verifying facts and avoiding defamatory content. In an era where social media amplifies voices, the legal consequences of unethical practices are becoming increasingly stringent. This ruling could set a precedent for similar cases across India, reinforcing the need for accountability in journalism.
As digital platforms continue to evolve, the intersection of media ethics and legal frameworks is likely to remain a critical issue. The Uttarakhand High Court's intervention highlights the judiciary's role in upholding standards and protecting individuals from reputational harm caused by irresponsible reporting.
