Archive · 25 Jul 2026
PIL seeks safeguards for journalists covering protests
A lawyer named Narendra Kumar Goswami has filed a petition in the Supreme Court of India.
He wants the court to create rules to protect journalists who cover protests.
He also wants an independent investigation into recent attacks on journalists during protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
The petition mentions several incidents where journalists were attacked, including a woman reporter who received death threats.
The petitioner argues that while criticism of the media is protected, violence against journalists is not.
He wants the court to order the preservation of evidence like CCTV footage and medical records.
The petition also seeks a time-bound investigation by officers not involved in crowd control.
The next hearing on related matters is scheduled for July 27.
A PIL has been filed in the Supreme Court seeking a National Minimum Protocol for the safety of journalists during protests.
The petition seeks protection for journalists from violence, abuse, and obstruction while reporting from protest sites.
It also seeks the preservation of evidence such as CCTV footage, police videography, and medical records.
The petition mentions incidents of attacks on journalists during protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi.
A time-bound probe by officers unconnected with crowd control is requested to ensure neutral accountability.
The petitioner has sought to tag the present PIL with connected matters or treat it as a companion proceeding.
- Who
- Narendra Kumar Goswami, journalists covering protests
- What
- PIL seeking safeguards for journalists
- When
- July 24, 2023
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To ensure the safety of journalists and preservation of evidence during protests
Protection of Journalists
Freedom of Protest
Safety of Journalists
Protection of Journalists
Journalists need protection from targeted mob violence, sexualised abuse, intimidation, and obstruction while reporting from protest sites.
Freedom of Protest
Protesters should be able to express their views without interference, including from journalists.
Preservation of Evidence
Protection of Journalists
Evidence such as CCTV footage, police videography, and medical records should be preserved to ensure a neutral investigation.
Freedom of Protest
Preservation of evidence could be seen as an infringement on the privacy of protesters.
Investigation and Accountability
Protection of Journalists
A time-bound probe by officers unconnected with the crowd-control deployment is necessary to ensure neutral accountability.
Freedom of Protest
Investigations should focus on the actions of the police and not the protesters.
- Petitioner
- Narendra Kumar Goswami
- Court
- Supreme Court of India
- Protests
- Jantar Mantar demonstrations
- Incidents
- July 18 to July 23
- Journalists Affected
- Dev Kotak and others
- Evidence Preservation
- CCTV footage, police videography, medical records, etc.
- Next Hearing
- July 27