The Supreme Court has directed all States and Union Territories to formulate clear policies regulating media briefings by police authorities, taking guidance from the “Media Manual” prepared by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties (PUCL).
A Bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and N. Kotiswar Singh observed that the absence of uniform norms governing police interaction with the press has often resulted in prejudicial disclosures, leading to concerns over trial by media and violations of the rights of accused persons and victims. To address this, the Court mandated that each State must frame and notify its own media-briefing policy within a stipulated period.
The PUCL manual, compiled with inputs from various stakeholders and best practices, was prepared by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who assisted the Court as amicus curiae. The document provides structured guidelines on what information can be shared, the stage at which disclosures may be made, and the safeguards required to ensure fairness and accountability in criminal proceedings.
The Court also directed that the manual be made easily accessible so that State governments can rely on it while drafting their respective policies. Emphasising the need for balance, the Bench noted that while transparency is important, unrestricted disclosures by police can compromise investigations and undermine the right to a fair trial.
This direction is aimed at ensuring responsible communication by law-enforcement agencies while protecting constitutional rights and maintaining public confidence in the justice system.
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