The Madhya Pradesh High Court has issued an interim order directing media platforms to adhere to journalistic norms when publishing news related to Acharya Dhirendra Shastri of Bageshwar Dham. This directive comes in response to a petition filed by a disciple of Acharya Dhirendra Shastri, seeking to restrain various media platforms from disseminating news or posts intended to malign the image of his guru.
Justice Sanjay Dwivedi, presiding over the case, emphasized the importance of verifying the veracity of news concerning Acharya Shastri before publication. The Court stated,
“By way of interim measure, it is directed before publishing/displaying/posting any news/tidings relatable to Acharya Shri Dhirendra Krishna Shastri, they should adhere to the norms of journalistic conduct and first ascertain the veracity of such news/tidings from the concerning person whether it is disgraceful for his image or not and then following the requirement of (Information Technology) Rules, 2021, shall float such news/tidings.”
Furthermore, the Court ordered the immediate deletion of posts already published in electronic media that tarnish the image of Shastri. The bench also noted that local media channels and social media platforms must ensure that any news or posts do not disgrace the leader’s image, in accordance with the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.
The petitioner, Ranjit Patel, argued that objectionable news content and posts were being published against his guru without verifying their accuracy and that journalistic ethics were not being followed. Counsel for the petitioner, Pankaj Dubey, submitted that despite representing the matter to all concerned authorities, no appropriate action was taken against the respondents, including social media platforms and some media houses, leading to the necessity of legal recourse.
The bench issued notices to the respondents named in the petition, including various print, electronic, and social media platforms. The matter has been listed for hearing next in January 2024.
This interim directive by the Madhya Pradesh High Court underscores the Court’s effort to balance the freedom of the press with the need to protect individuals from defamatory content, particularly in the digital age where information spreads rapidly across various media platforms.
