SC LIVE STREAMING
Source: The Indian Express
Context
The Supreme Court in a full court decided to live to stream its proceedings in crucial Constitution Bench cases that will be heard from September 27.
The decision comes nearly four years after a plea was made in the interest of transparency.
History of the case
- On August 26, on the day of former Chief Justice of India (CJI) N V Ramana's retirement, the Supreme Court streamed its proceedings live.
- But the first steps towards the decision were taken in 2018 when a three-judge Bench comprising then CJI Dipak Misra, Justice A M khanwilkar and Justice D Y Chandraud agreed to hear public interest litigation seeking live streaming of judicial proceedings on matters of constitutional importance.
Pilot project
- The petitioners who cited the principle of open access to justice included Senior Advocate Indira Jaising.
- In March 2018, the Supreme Court issued notice to Attorney General of India K K Venugopal seeking his views on the issue.
- In his response to the court, Venugopal recommended introducing live streaming as a pilot project in Court No 1, Which is the CJI's court No.1, which is the CJIs court and only in Constitution Bench cases.
- The success of this project will determine whether or not live streaming should be introduced in all courts pan India.
- The A-G cited de-congestion of courts and improving physical access to courts for litigants who have to otherwise travel long distances to come to the SC in Support of his recommendation.
Guidelines
- The Supreme Court approved a set of guidelines suggested by the A-G, which included allowing transcripts and archiving the proceedings.
- However, the A-G suggested that the court must retain the power to withhold broadcasting and also not permit it in cases involving:
- Matrimonial matters
- Matters involving the interests of juveniles or the protection and safety of the private life of young offenders.
- Matters of National security
- To ensure that victims, witnesses or defendants can depose truthfully and without any fear. Special protection must be given to vulnerable or intimidated witnesses. It may provide for face distortion of the witness if she/ he consents to the broadcast anonymously,
- To protect confidential or sensitive information, including all matters relating to sexual assault and rape
- Matters where publicity would be antithetical to the administration of justice and
- Cases which may provoke sentiments and arouse passion and provoke enmity among communities.
Live streaming in HCs
Following the SC's decision, Gujarat High Court began live streaming its proceedings in July 2021.
| Currently, the Jharkhand, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa and Patna High Courts live to stream their proceedings. Allahabad High Court is learnt to be considering doing the same. |
Live streaming in different Countries
United States of America
While the US Supreme Court has rejected pleas for the broadcast of its proceedings, it has since 1955 allowed audio recording and transcripts of oral arguments.
Australia
Live or delayed broadcasting is allowed but the practices and norms differ across courts
Brazil
- Since 2002, live video and audio broadcast of court proceedings, including the deliberations and voting process undertaken by the judges in court is allowed.
- A public television channel, TV Justica and a radio Channel, Radio Justica were set up to broadcast video and audio.
- Separately, dedicated Youtube channels hold discussions and commentaries on the judicial system, apart from broadcasting proceedings live.
Canada
Proceedings are broadcast live on Cable Parliamentary Affairs Channel, accompanied by explanations of each case and the overall processes and powers of the court.
South Africa
Since 2017, the Supreme Court of South Africa has allowed the media to broadcast court proceedings in criminal matters, as an extension of the right to freedom of expression.
United Kingdom
- In 2005, the law was amended to remove contempt of court charges for recording proceedings of the Supreme Court.
- Proceedings are broadcast live with a one-minute delay on the court's website, but coverage can be withdrawn in sensitive appeals.
Concerns
- Broadcasting court proceedings is a step in the direction of transparency and greater access to the justice system, but there are concerns around the impact of live streaming both on judges and the people watching the proceedings.
- Video clips of proceedings from Indian courts are already on YouTube and other social media platforms with sensational titles and little context, such as "High Court Super angry on army officer".
- There are fears that irresponsible or motivated use of content could spread disinformation among the public.
| A 2018 Paper by Felipe Lopez titled "Television and Judicial Behavior: Lessons from the Brazilian Supreme Court studied the Brazilian Supreme Court and concluded that justices behave like politicians when given free television time, they act to maximise their exposure. |
- Some studies investigated the effects of the behaviour of politicians on the introduction of C-SPAN in the US House of Representatives and the US Senate, which concluded that the broadcast of proceedings corresponded with a growth in the frequency of filibustering.
Positive concerns
However, sometimes positive systemic corrections have been made possible due to the broadcast of court proceedings.
| A 2017 study by researchers at Northwestern University of archives of the audio proceedings of the US Supreme Court showed that "Judicial interactions at oral argument are highly gendered, with women being interrupted at disproportionate rates by their male colleagues, as well as by male advocates". |
The gendered disruptions identified by the study had been addressed and now Justices ask questions according to seniority instead of interrupting randomly.
For Prelims & Mains
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For Prelims: live streaming in courts
For Mains:
1. What are the guidelines for the Live streaming of courts? (250 words)
2. What are the concerns associated with the Live streaming of Courts? (250 Words)
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