Ranchi: Chief Justice of India N V Ramana today slammed the media, especially electronic and social media. He has said that the debates by the media unilaterally for a particular purpose and its own arbitrary decisions are detrimental to the health of democracy.
In a speech held in the memory of Justice Satyabrata Sinha, Chief Justice Ramana said media trials were affecting the impartial functioning and independence of the judiciary.
“The verdicts of the cases should not be influenced by the media trial. For some time now, we have seen that the media itself is arbitrarily delivering judgements on issues that even experienced judges find it difficult to decide on. The misguided and pro-an-agenda debates are proving to be detrimental to the health of democracy.
By breaching your responsibility, you are taking our democracy two steps backwards. Asking the media, especially electronic and social media, to be responsible, Chief Justice Ramana said that power should be used to educate the people and create a sense of solidarity in the nation to make India progressive, prosperous and peaceful. ‘
There should be no interference of government or courts.
The judges may not react immediately but it should not be treated as a weakness. When an openness is performed with full responsibility while staying within the limits, there is no need to impose any restrictions. Chief Justice Ramanna said the biggest challenge to the judiciary is to prioritise court cases on priority basis as judges cannot ignore the social reality.