The press can’t publish anything blatantly defamatory against an individual or institution, and should not go beyond the bounds of fair comment, says Delhi Court.

Keywords: Defamation, Press, Libel, Delhi Court

Delhi court has recently said that the media can not publish anything blatantly defamatory against an individual or institution and it must not go beyond the bounds of fair comment unless it is verifiable and there are reasons to believe that the publication was made with good intentions for public good.

The Additional District Judge Ravinder Bedi of Karkardooma Courts stated that general rules must be respected, emphasizing that there is global recognition of journalistic ethics addressing the admonition against libelous writing.

“General norms need to be followed. Such norms may include that – Press should not publish anything which is manifestly defamatory against any individual or institution unless it is
duly verified and there are sufficient reasons to believe that it is true and its publication will be for the public good. Truth is no defense for publishing derogatory, scurrilous or defamatory material against a private citizen where no public interest is involved.”[1]

The court went on to say that while the media has the right to disclose corruption and irregularities in public offices, It must be founded on undisputed proof and published after thorough investigation and verification from the appropriate source.

The court mentioned this while hearing a suit filed in 2016 by Atma Ram who is a former superintendent Engineer of the Delhi Development Authority, against the editor of the newspaper “Tahirpur Times” in which he claimed that a headline against him titled “Garg ka tabadala rukwane mein adhikshan abhiyanta Atma Ram ka haath” was published without any proof or verification of truth and with the intent of defamation. While granting compensation as a relief to him, the judge said that every person has an entitled right to reputation, and if that reputation is hurt by improper disclosure, the individual must seek redress.

Written by- Satyanshu Sharma, College name- Rajiv Gandhi National University of Law, Patiala, Semester- 2^nd, An intern under Legal Vidhiya

[1] LIVELAW, https://www.livelaw.in/news-updates/delhi-court-press-defamation-corruption-ethical-caution-fair-comment-229801?infinitescroll=1 (last visited on 1^st June, 2023).

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