The Patna High Court ruled that media can report criminal proceedings but should avoid labels like “mastermind” or “kingpin” that suggest guilt before trial. Justice Ansul said prejudicial reporting may harm an accused’s reputation and amount to defamatory or improper conduct during pending cases.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court upheld that fair reporting of court judgments is crucial for justice and press freedom, shielding journalists from contempt charges. This ruling highlights the press’s essential function in promoting transparency and accountability in state actions and judicial outcomes.
