India
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Supreme Court bars social media courtroom clips
The Hindu··4 Sept
The Supreme Court on July 24 barred circulation of audio and video clips from judicial proceedings on social media without permission from court registrars. The interim order followed a petition by journalist Harshita Grover citing distorted clips. Law student Tanisha Som, 24, says live-streamed Constitution Bench hearings since 2022 shaped her advocacy ambitions. The next hearing is on September 18.
Prism
What It Means For You
- Recognised news outlets may report proceedings but cannot utilise audio or video clips.
- The court has not defined recognised news outlets, leaving independent journalists uncertain.
- High Courts and platforms including Meta, LinkedIn and X Corp were added as stakeholders.
What's Happening
- Constitution Benches comprise five or more judges on substantial constitutional questions.
- Chief Justice Surya Kant said isolated excerpts risk trivialising the administration of justice.
- Grover argued many circulated clips were stripped of context for sensationalism.
Live-Streaming Since 2022
- Swapnil Tripathi's 2018 petition led to a landmark ruling on live-streaming under Article 21.
- Law Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal told the Lok Sabha in March 2026 that 11 High Courts live-stream.
- The Supreme Court YouTube channel has amassed over 2.67 lakh subscribers.
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