The Supreme Court of India introduced a significant Social Media Hearing Ban through an interim order that restricts the unauthorized sharing of live-streamed court videos. The Court barred people from extracting, editing, uploading, reposting, monetizing, or distributing audio and video recordings of judicial proceedings without prior permission. It said anyone wishing to use such recordings must first obtain written approval from the Secretary General of the Supreme Court or the Registrar General of the concerned High Court.
Supreme Court Restricts Unauthorized Court Video Sharing
A three-judge Bench comprising Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, Justice Joymalya Bagchi, and Justice V. Mohana issued the directions while hearing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL). The petition raised concerns about cropped and edited court clips spreading across social media platforms. According to the Court, such clips often remove important context and may mislead the public.
Court Protects Fair and Accurate News Reporting
At the same time, the Supreme Court clarified that the interim directions do not affect fair and accurate reporting by recognized news organizations. The Bench explained that journalists may continue reporting court proceedings through text and other lawful formats.
However, the Court warned that unauthorized clipping and monetization of live-streamed hearings can undermine the administration of justice. It also reminded the public that oral observations made during hearings do not amount to final judicial decisions and should not circulate without proper context.
High Courts and Social Media Platforms Asked to Respond
The Supreme Court impleaded major social media intermediaries, including LinkedIn, Google, YouTube, X Corp, and Meta Platforms Inc., as respondents in the matter. It also issued notice to the Union of India and all 25 High Courts.
Further, the Court directed every High Court to submit a status report on the implementation of the Model Rules for Live Streaming and Recording of Court Proceedings. It also asked them to evaluate the feasibility of continuous live-streaming. These directions strengthen the Social Media Hearing Ban while promoting responsible use of judicial content and preserving transparency in court reporting.
