Supreme Court Objects to Social Media Sharing of Court Videos, Issues Notices to Meta and X
The Supreme Court has objected to the arbitrary sharing of court proceeding videos on social media, saying they cannot be shared or monetised without court approval. Notices have been issued to Meta, X and other platforms.
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has objected to the arbitrary sharing of videos of court proceedings on social media and clarified that such videos cannot be shared without the court’s permission. The court said videos of court proceedings can be shared or monetised on digital platforms only after obtaining approval from the Registrar General of the High Courts or the Secretary General of the Supreme Court. The court also clarified that this restriction does not apply to news reporting. The matter is currently under consideration after an interim order was passed on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL).
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Supreme Court Restricts Sharing of Court Videos on Social Media
The interim order was passed on Wednesday by a bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justice Joy Mallya Bagchi, and Justice V Mohanal.
The bench was hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by a journalist, who alleged that videos of court proceedings were being shared arbitrarily on social media platforms.
According to the petitioner, unrestricted sharing of court videos could disturb the dignity of the judiciary. The petitioner also informed the court that a video of a lawyer throwing papers into the air had gone viral a few days ago, saying the incident had turned the entire matter into a joke.
The petitioner requested the court to impose restrictions on live streaming of court proceedings and the sharing of court videos on social media.
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Justice Bagchi Says Courts Are Not Entertainment Channels
Responding to the plea, Justice Joy Mallya Bagchi remarked:
“Courts are not entertainment channels that run 24 hours a day.”
He further observed that there should be restrictions on the live streaming of court proceedings and added:
“The courts are not live entertainment channels.”
Justice Bagchi also pointed out that links to video conferences and live-streamed court proceedings were being shared arbitrarily and said restrictions should also be imposed on such practices.
Supreme Court Issues Notices to Meta, X and Other Platforms
During the hearing, the Supreme Court issued notices to Meta, X, and other social media platforms regarding the arbitrary sharing of court proceeding videos and related live-streaming links.
The court reiterated that videos of court proceedings cannot be shared on social media without prior permission. It further clarified that sharing or monetising such content on digital platforms requires approval from the Registrar General of the High Courts or the Secretary General of the Supreme Court. However, the restriction does not apply to news reporting.
The Supreme Court has objected to the arbitrary sharing of court proceeding videos on social media and has made it clear that such content cannot be shared or monetised without prior approval from the competent court authorities. While exempting news reporting from the restriction, the court has issued notices to Meta, X, and other social media platforms as the PIL remains under consideration.
