Chief Justice of India NV Ramana, while delivering the inaugural Justice SB Sinha Memorial lecture on “Life of a Judge” at Judicial Academy, Ranchi, today said that media trials, kangaroo courts run by media, concerted campaigns against judges in media along with ill-informed and agenda driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy.
The Chief Justice of India was in Ranchi today for a one day programme at the Judicial Academy, where he delivered the inaugural Justice SB Sinha Memorial lecture, inaugurated Sub-Divisional Courts in Saraikela and Garhwa districts and handed over scholarships to among students who lost their parents during Covid-19 pandemic under Jharkhand State Legal Services Authority’s (JHALSA) project.
Talking about media in his lecture on “Life of a Judge”, Justice Ramana said, “Doing justice is not an easy responsibility. It is becoming increasingly challenging with each passing day. At times, there are also concerted campaigns in media, particularly on social media against judges. Another aspect which affects the fair functioning and independence of judiciary is the rising number of media trials. New media tools have enormous amplifying ability but appear to be incapable of distinguishing between the right and the wrong, the good and the bad and the real and the fake. Media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases.”
“Of late, we see the media running kangaroo courts, at times on issues even experienced judges find difficult to decide. Ill-informed and agenda driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy. Biased views being propagated by media are affecting the people, weakening democracy, and harming the system. In this process, justice delivery gets adversely affected. By overstepping and breaching your responsibility, you are taking our democracy two steps backwards,” he added.
The CJI further said, “Print media still has a certain degree of accountability. Whereas, electronic media has zero accountability as what it shows vanishes into thin years. Still worse is social media.”
“Owing to the frequent transgressions and consequent social unrests, there is a growing demand for stricter media regulations and accountability. In fact, looking at recent trends, it is best for the media to self-regulate and measure their words. You should not overstep and invite interference, either from the government or from the courts. Judges may not react immediately. Please don’t mistake it to be a weakness or helplessness. When liberties are exercised responsibly, within their domains, there will be no necessity of placing reasonable or proportionate external restrictions” he said.
Justice Ramana requested the media to be responsible. “I urge upon the media, particularly the electronic and social media, to behave responsibly. You are as important a stakeholder as we are. Please use the power of your voice to educate the people and to energize the nation in our collective endeavor to build a progressive, prosperous, and peaceful India,” he said.
Terming the judiciary as the most trusted organ of democracy, the CJI said that it is common perception that judges work from 10 am to 4 pm but this is far from the truth. He said judges have to work even on their off days and before applying their judicious mind they have to read much.
Expressing his concern over the physical attack on judges he said judges have no protection after their retirement and they have to remain with those against whom they have given verdict.
Chief Justice of Jharkhand High Court Dr Ravi Ranjan, Justice Apresh Kumar Singh, Justice S Chandrashekhar, Justice SN Prasad, Justice R Mukhopadhyay and judges of Jharkhand High Court along with senior officials and students of National University of Study and Research in Law were present on the occasion.