Media running kangaroo courts, says Chief Justice NV Ramana

Chief Justice of India NV Ramana on Saturday criticised the media for running Kangaroo courts “on issues even experienced judges find difficult to decide on”.

Speaking at the National University of Study and Research in Law, Ranchi, the CJI said, “Ill-informed and agenda-driven debates on issues involving justice delivery are proving to be detrimental to the health of the democracy.”

He said media trials cannot be the “guiding factor” in deciding cases. He was especially critical of the electronic media, saying, “Print media has some accountability, electronic media has none, and social media worse.”

Pointing out the role of social media in how discourse is shaped, the chief justice said, “There are concerted campaigns on social media against judges. Judges may not react immediately. New media tools have enormous amplifying ability but appear to be incapable of distinguishing between the right and the wrong, the good and the bad and the real and the fake.”

He urged electronic and social media to “behave responsibly”. “Electronic media should rather use their voice to educate people and energise the nation,” he said.