Supreme Court warns that unrestricted citizen journalism could create widespread problems
The Supreme Court cautioned that allowing every citizen to act as a journalist may cause difficulties for others, as it heard a petition on freelancers' press rights.
In New Delhi, the Supreme Court heard a public-interest litigation seeking safeguards for freelancers, independent journalists and reel-makers covering protests. Advocate Indira Jaising contended that Delhi Police were refusing to acknowledge such workers unless they held Press Information Bureau accreditation, and urged a national protocol to prevent obstruction of journalists bearing an employer ID. Chief Justice Surya Kant warned that if every citizen were to assume the role of journalist, it would generate problems for the broader public, while Justice Joymalya Bagchi said a detailed review is needed to determine whether freedom of expression should extend to all citizens as journalists.
The bench highlighted the existing hierarchy of protections for accredited media employees versus freelancers, influencers and reel-makers. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta emphasized that many individuals with smartphones claim journalistic status while merely producing sensational reels, and argued that protections for women journalists should be matched for women police personnel. The court indicated that any policy change would require thorough examination of the Working Journalists Act and related safeguards.
Why it matters
The ruling could shape how freelance and citizen reporters are treated by police and affect press freedom in India.
How the sides frame it
MODERATE AGREEMENTBoth camps note the Supreme Court’s warning about extending journalist status to all citizens, but centrist coverage stresses a general public-interest warning and calls for a protocol, while right-leaning coverage emphasizes legal difficulties, the need to distinguish accredited journalists, and cites a specific safety incident involving a woman journalist.
CENTER
Centrist coverage frames the ruling as a caution that unrestricted citizen journalism could create broad public problems and urges a national protocol for freelancers and reel-makers.
RIGHT
Right-leaning coverage frames the ruling as highlighting legal challenges and the necessity to differentiate accredited journalists from freelancers and influencers, stressing safety concerns for women journalists.
The right emphasises
- Extending journalist protections to every citizen could generate legal difficulties.
- The bench highlighted the tension between Article 19’s freedom of expression and the need to distinguish accredited journalists from freelancers and social media influencers.
- The petition alleges a woman journalist was molested by police and faced a retaliatory counter-FIR.
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