journalism

Justice Markandey Katju, chairman of the Press Council of India (PCI), said that the PCI would challenge in the Supreme Court the Allahabad High Court’s order directing the government to prevent the media reporting troop movements.

Katju also added that that the Indian Express, which had come under fire and faced government denials for its story on army movements near Delhi, could not be faulted for its report.

Senior counsel Shanti Bhushan submitted to Chief Justice (CJI) Kapadia’s constitutional bench yesterday, that even incorrect statements do not justify restrictions on the media, and even half-truths and misinformation should not warrant punishment for contempt regardless of concern for the reputation of courts.

In today’s edition of Mint: On the morning of 10 August 2011, senior lawyer Harish Salve looked upset as he entered Chief Justice of India (CJI) S.H. Kapadia’s courtroom, holding a newspaper that had published an article on a case he was arguing in the Supreme Court.

The Supreme Court was bluntly told on Thursday by senior counsel Rajeev Dhavan that it did not have the power to legislate and curb the press from reporting on court cases. Dhavan appeared on behalf of the Editors Guild, Foundation of Media Professionals and some individual journalists and argued that “internal mechanisms" of the media could resolve the concerns.

Day two of chief justice SH Kapadia’s constitutional bench hearing of the matter of press freedoms and individual rights saw the debate centered on the introduction of a “test of postponement” which will empower a judge in a criminal trial to prevent its publication if there is an apprehension of prejudice to the accused or any witness.

The Supreme Court’s special constitutional court of five judges headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) Sarosh Homa Kapadia descended into mixed messages and arguments yesterday as it sat for the first day to decide on new guidelines to regulate reporting of court cases by the media.

The Supreme Court will form a constitution bench of five judges to frame guidelines for media coverage of the court and its proceedings following a news report on Tuesday.

Exclusive: Supreme Court journalists and the bench are understood to have agreed a compromise after the spat over the notification of rules in late August that would have effectively excluded 80 per cent of current correspondents from the apex court.

Court Witness: In Facebook terms the relationship status of the nation’s higher judiciary and the press would say “It’s complicated”.

Bombay High Court turns 150: senior advocate TR Andhyarujina celebrates with an ode and potted history [Hindu]

Two editorials in Express family papers today condemn SC’s new journalist control rules; But for Mint and Express other MSM remain strangely mute [Financial Express / Indian Express]

Former Amarchand COO Bithika Anand’s consulting firm Legal League Consulting enters into strategic alliance with Edge International [Press release]

K’tka HC sets aside compensation for Mangalore Air India crash [IBN]

Chargesheets land on Amar Singh, politicians and aides in nuclear cash-for-votes scam [Hindu]

Special Delhi HC bench to hear Reliance KG basin gov’t ‘cheating’ allegations [UNI]

Hearings close on whether gov’t covertly tried to keep CBI out of RTI ambit, verdict soon [TOI]

Supreme Court may ban journalists without law degrees at “sole discretion” of CJI, could bar 80% of correspondents [Indian Express / Mint / New SC norms]

Karnataka HC instructs former judge to monitor investigation into 10-year-old irregularities in Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) [ExpressBuzz]

Third CBI 2G chargesheet only ready by mid-September [Hindu Business Line]

Opinion by Christ Univ student: Lokpal bill will head towards death [Indiatogether]

Following the murder of Mumbai investigative journalist Jyotirmoy Dey the Bombay High Court has allowed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by lawyer VP Patil demanding a CBI inquiry into the incident as a bill has been proposed granting special legal protection to journalists.

Legally India is looking for lawyers, journalists or both working in the Bombay High Court, Delhi High Court or Supreme Court to become part-time correspondents writing on life at the bar.