Politics
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SC bars news use of court audio-video clips
The Hindu··5 Aug
The Supreme Court clarified on July 31 that news outlets may report court proceedings but cannot use audio or video clips of hearings. A bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant said the July 24 order was not a blanket ban on text reporting. Outlets cannot post raw or edited hearing footage on social or digital platforms for commercial use.
Prism
What It Means For You
- News readers will still get court reportage, but viral clips of hearing exchanges may become harder to find on social feeds.
- Journalists at recognised outlets can report outcomes and arguments without using raw or edited courtroom audio-video.
- Citizens seeking hearing visuals may eventually need official archive routes once the court finalises access protocol.
What's Happening
- The Supreme Court said recognised news outlets may report proceedings but must not utilise audio or video clips of hearings.
- The clarification followed confusion over a July 24 interim ban on circulating livestreamed judicial recordings without permission.
- The court indicated it may create a protocol for accessing archived livestream audio-visual content through official channels.
Why Courts Are Drawing Lines Around Hearing Clips
- Livestreams widened public access but also enabled short clips that can be monetised or taken out of legal context.
- Open-justice advocates argue digital circulation keeps courts accountable beyond physical galleries.
- Permission-based archive models aim to preserve access while limiting unauthorised commercial reuse.
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