Abusing Media Freedom: It’s High Time That Fake-mongers Are Brought To Justice

Bhubaneswar: Internet has become the most important tool for disseminating information. Particularly, the Social Media has taken over other forms of media in circulating information very fast albeit unfortunately without any authenticity or proper verification. The recent episode that happened in Odisha involving the highest authority of the Judiciary – the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court sadly tells the state of affairs through which the Social Media is going through and some so called mainstream media are trying to imitate it to attract cheap viewership and rake a controversy where there is nothing to discuss.

When we see the issue that happened in Odisha, we see that there is blatant abuse of the freedom of speech enshrined in the Constitution of India and putting out misinformation sowing seeds of fake rumors. Those behind the mischief, from the Social Media or the mainstream media, must self evaluate their action and restrain themselves from repeating the mistake.

The Orissa High Court has strongly reacted to the issue of fake news in the social media and a reputed television channel of the state stating that it is extremely unfortunate and a sinister attempt to malign not only the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court but the institution of the judiciary as a whole. While the Social Media post seemed to be deliberate attempt to malign the Chief Justice, the TV report has totally deviated from its responsibility. In the name of freedom of speech, it has not only spread a fake news, but also set a bad precedence.

A few days back, former Chief Justice of India N V Ramana had said that now a days agenda-driven debates and kangaroo courts are being run by the media which are detrimental to the health of the democracy. He also said that independent journalism is the backbone of democracy. Earlier, he had said that “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.”

The politically motivated report by the Odia television channel just aims to rake in a controversy out of a good deed. It published fake news from the social media post of an ill informed user and tried to drag the honesty of the judiciary and the welfare efforts of some good samaritans. This is an example of yellow journalism that just intended to sensationalize the issue.

The Orissa High Court has strictly denounced the unnecessary controversy and issued a statement. It said “the photograph is taken at a time when the Guests were awaiting the arrival Justice M.R. Shah from Puri. This was therefore not at all a ‘closed door meeting’ or a ‘private meeting’ between the Chief Justice and VK Pandian as has been projected. In fact it was not a meeting at all. It was a public function by a charitable organization providing free treatment to thousands of poor children of Odisha suffering from heart ailments”, the press release stated.”

“It is extremely unfortunate that a sinister attempt has been made to deliberately malign not only the Chief Justice of the Orissa High Court but the institution of the judiciary as a whole. Further, certain section of the media has unfortunately carried the news item making negative comments without verifying the above facts. These facts could have easily been got verified both from the organization which conducted the programme and also from the Registrar General of the High Court before publication of such news item”, the Orissa High Court Registry stated.

The incident calls for the judiciary to take up the issue and bring all the perpetrators of fake news to just as soon as possible and an exemplary punishment is handed out so that others do not repeat the same. Media ethics need to be adhered to and self regulation should be the utmost priority.