The Madras High Court has clearly stated in a major judgment that journalists cannot be forced to disclose personal information. , It is completely against freedom of expression. During the hearing of a case, Justice G. A. Ilanthirayan made this harsh comment. They believe that if someone is pressurizing journalists in this way, then it is harassment.
Learn about the case in detail.
The incident at Anna University on 23 December has shook the entire Chennai. This incident has caused Tamil Nadu politics. A 37 -year -old man selling biryani near the university campus was sexually abused here. The matter came to light when the student herself complained to the police. Initially the police took the case lightly and did not take any action. But when the matter came on social media, the police came into action. The police have arrested an accused in the case.
During the investigation of the case by STI, the agency summoned several journalists and asked them more than 50 questions. Where did they go abroad and how much money they have. Apart from this, many personal questions were also asked. In such a situation, now when the court came to know about this case, he argued in favor of journalists.
Know what the court said in support of journalists
Justice GK Elthiran said that if personal data is being sought from journalists, efforts are being made to get personal information from them, then it is just a way to harass the press. This is a clear violation of Section 15 (2) of the Press Council Act. Both freedom and privacy of the press are connected to each other. Justice ji’s Inthairayan also emphasized that the questions asked seem to be very personal and this is a direct violation of the right to privacy.
The court also admitted that the SIT worked out of its jurisdiction by asking personal questions to reporters. The Supreme Court has declared the right to privacy as a fundamental right. This decision was given unanimously by a bench of 9 judges.
While giving its verdict in the case, the High Court said that seizing mobile phones of petitioners (reporters) under the guise of investigation, forcing them to give them access to their personal and private data and ask them to disclose personal and confidential information There is nothing but harassing the press and harassing them for fear of surveillance.
