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Supreme Court: news media may report proceedings, no video clips
The Supreme Court of India makes rules about what happens inside courtrooms.
In July, the judges made a rule about videos and recordings taken during court hearings.
Some people got confused and thought this meant reporters could not talk about court cases anymore.
The judges noticed the confusion and explained their rule more clearly.
They said news reporters can still write stories and tell people what happens in court.
But reporters cannot put audio or video clips from the courtroom into their news reports.
Using such clips is only allowed if the court office gives special permission first.
The judges explained this on July 31, and newspapers shared it on August 5.
The case will continue on September 18, when the court hears more from everyone involved.
The Supreme Court clarified that its July 24 interim order is not a blanket prohibition on reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets.
The restriction applies only to the use of audio and video clips of judicial proceedings in news reports, which remain barred without prior court permission.
The clarification, passed on July 31 by a bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, came after the court noted "some confusion persists" over paragraph 11 of the earlier order.
News organisations remain bound by paragraph 10, which bars extraction, modification, dissemination, monetisation, posting and uploading of audio-video recordings without prior permission of the court administration.
The case stems from journalist Harshita Grover's petition seeking a uniform framework for live streaming and recording of court proceedings, with the next hearing on September 18; two article headlines contradicted the ruling by suggesting outlets could use clips.
- Who
- A Supreme Court of India bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant, with Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana; the petition was filed by journalist Harshita Grover, represented by senior advocate Vikas Singh.
- What
- The court clarified that recognised news outlets may continue reporting on judicial proceedings, but may not use audio or video clips of court proceedings in their coverage without prior permission.
- Where
- Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
- When
- Clarification order passed on July 31, 2026; reported on August 5, 2026.
- Why
- Because "some confusion persists" over paragraph 11 of the July 24 interim order, which some read as a blanket ban on reporting by news outlets.
Key facts
- Court
- Supreme Court of India, New Delhi
- Bench
- Chief Justice Surya Kant, Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana
- Original Interim Order
- July 24, 2026
- Clarification Order
- July 31, 2026 (reported August 5, 2026)
- Petitioner
- Journalist Harshita Grover, represented by senior advocate Vikas Singh
- Key Restriction
- No extraction, modification, dissemination, monetisation, posting or uploading of audio-video recordings without prior permission of the secretary general or registrar generals of high courts
- Petition Aim
- Uniform framework for live streaming and recording of court proceedings across the country
- Next Hearing
- September 18, 2026; respondents given four weeks to file counter affidavits
Quotes
Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice Surya Kant
Supreme Court bench presiding over the clarification order
“As an interim measure, it is directed that there shall be no extraction, modification, dissemination, monetisation, posting, reposting and uploading of audio-video recordings of judicial proceedings on social media or other digital platforms without prior permission of the secretary general of this court or the registrar general of the jurisdictional high courts”
telegraphindia.com
“"It appears, however, that some confusion persists in respect of paragraph 11 of the earlier order, which this court deems necessary to clarify. The said paragraph makes it clear that the order is not to be construed as imposing a blanket prohibition on the reporting of court proceedings by recognised news outlets."”
rediff.com
thehindubusinessline.com
thehansindia.com
telegraphindia.com
Sources
Media can report on court proceedings, but no video clips: SC
News organisations can use audio-video clips of judicial proceedings for reporting: Supreme Court
SC clarifies media reporting of court proceedings unaffected, restricts use of courtroom audio-video
No gag on news organisations' court reporting, only on the use of audio-video clips: Supreme Court
News organisations can use audio-video clips of judicial proceedings for reporting: SC
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