Supreme Court Urges States to Formulate Media Briefing Policies

The Supreme Court has instructed states to create policy guidelines for police media briefings, referencing a manual prepared by senior lawyer Gopal Sankaranarayanan. The court criticized states for their lack of response and emphasized the need for a careful framework to prevent biased reporting.

The Supreme Court has called on states to develop policies for police media briefings, following a manual crafted by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan as an amicus curiae.

Justices M M Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh addressed concerns over current police practices in media briefings, emphasizing the manual's comprehensive perspective, which considers both national and international standards.

Despite these efforts, the court criticized the states' inadequate engagement with the manual and mandated the development of policies within three months. The court underscored the dangers of biased reporting, highlighting potential impacts on public perception and privacy.

(With inputs from agencies.)