SC STEPS ON TRANSPARENCY

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The Chief Justice of India stated that a dedicated platform for Livestream Supreme Court proceedings will soon be launched to promote transparency.

Significance of live streaming of judicial proceedings

Broadcasting court proceedings will ensure transparency and greater access to the justice system.
Citizens have a right to know what arguments are made and the responses of the judges as their judgements bind us all.
The principle "justice should not only be done but seen to be done".
Live Steaming would empower, and provide access to citizens who cannot personally come to court due to social, economic, health, or physical disability-related limitations.
It would enable citizens to have first-hand information on case proceedings on issues of constitutional importance that affect them directly or indirectly.

Concern

The individuality of judges is more likely to become a subject of public debate through live-streaming, creating problems of its own.
Lawyers aspiring to publicize themselves through their addresses to the Bench.
It will affect the normalcy of the proceedings.
Video clips of court proceedings are already on social media platforms with sensational titles and little context, such as “HIGH COURT super angry on IAS/IPS officer”. This irresponsible use of content could spread disinformation among citizens.

Way Forward

Live streaming is neither required in all types of matters nor in all courts.
Live streaming or videography could be avoided in the matters which have a privacy dimension, such as family matters or criminal matters.
Any Kind of Misuse of court proceedings video must be dealt with strict law and also need to formulate guidelines to promote the positive impact while curbing the negative one.