Supreme Court Bars Sharing of Court Proceedings on Social Media Without Permission

New Delhi, Jul 24: The Supreme Court on Friday barred the posting, reposting or uploading of audio and video recordings of court proceedings on social media and other digital platforms without prior permission from the competent court authorities. A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana passed the interim order while hearing a petition alleging misuse of live-streamed court proceedings and the circulation of edited court videos on social media. History The bench also issued notices to the Centre and other respondents, seeking their responses to the plea. “As an interim measure, there shall be no extraction, modification, dissemination, posting, reposting or uploading of audio-video recordings of judicial proceedings on social media or other digital platforms without prior permission of the Secretary General of the Supreme Court or the Registrar General of the jurisdictional High Courts,” the bench directed. Senior advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the petitioner, argued that videos of court proceedings were being misused on social media and other digital platforms, often taken out of context. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta supported the concern, submitting that there should be appropriate regulation to prevent misuse of such recordings. The matter will be heard further after responses are filed by the Centre and other parties.