Gujarat High Court issues live streaming rules
Recently, the Chief Justice of India launched the live telecast of the proceedings of the Gujarat High Court. Along with this, the High Court also issued rules for live broadcasting.
- The Gujarat High Court has become the first High Court to issue its own Live Broadcasting Rules. The second High Court to issue such rules is the Karnataka High Court.
- The objective of these rules is to make effective and comprehensive the principles of open court, transparency, access to justice and wider public interest.
- Under the rules, live telecast of cases related to matrimonial disputes and sexual harassment and offenses under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses (POCSO) Act and Juvenile Justice, Official Secrets Act etc. has been prohibited.
Challenges:
- The increase in public discourse on specific matters threatens the effect of popular judgment on the duty of the Court to protect individual rights against many.
- There are challenges related to infrastructure like 24*7 internet and electricity connectivity.
- There is a shortage of technical workforce.
- Digital gap and illiteracy are rampant in India.
Other Initiatives:
- In Swapnil Tripathi Vs Supreme Court of India Case (2018), the Supreme Court had held that the proceedings of the Court would be broadcast directly in the larger public interest.
- The e-Courts Mission Mode Project was conceptualized with a view to transform the Indian Judiciary by enabling Courts to be Information and Communication Technology (ICT).
- The e-Committee of the Supreme Court has issued its draft Model Rules for Live Broadcasting and Recording of Judicial Proceedings.
Source – The Hindu
