Interviewtimes 
The media is a powerful watchdog in democracy, it cannot be stopped from reporting any court hearing, the Supreme Court informed the Election Commission (EC) on Monday.
The apex court observed that the EC’s prayer to stop media from reporting oral observations is too far-fetched and can’t be allowed.
A bench headed by Justice D.Y. Chandrachud made the observation while hearing a plea filed by the EC against some critical observations made by the Madras high court, holding the poll panel responsible for a surge in COVID-19 cases in the country.
The top court said seeking relief that media should not report on observations is ‘too far fetched’ and it should be able to report everything to create accountability. It said that the media is an important and powerful watchdog in democracy and cannot be stopped from reporting discussions in higher courts.
“The discussions that take place are of importance, in fact of the same order and are in public interest. It’s not a monologue that one person will speak and then Judges will speak,” said Justice Chandrachud, according to Bar and Bench.
“We have to protect the judicial sanctity of the process. We have to make sure that high court judges and chief justices are independent to make views. we have to make sure that media reports everything that happens in court so that we judges conduct proceedings with dignity,” the court continued.
The EC last week approached the top court against what it called “blatantly disparaging remarks” by the Madras HC over holding elections amid India’s deadly second wave of Covid-19.
The SC bench today heard the poll panel’s plea challenging the Madras HC’s “murder charges” remark.
The Madras HC on 26 April had slammed the EC and said it “should probably be booked for murder” for allowing political rallies amid a deadly second wave of the pandemic.
