New Delhi : In a landmark judgement, the Constitution Bench of Supreme Court today refused to lay down guidelines for media reporting citing the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression.
The apex court however said, freedom of speech and expression is not an absolute right under our Constitution .
The court said, it was unable to frame guidelines on media reporting across the board.
The apex court said, temporary postponement on reporting a matter can be sought by aggrieved party by moving the appropriate court.
“Journalists should know the ‘lakshman rekha’ so that they don’t cross the line of contempt”, the apex court said.
The court said, the doctrine of postponement of reporting has been evolved as a preventive measure and not as a prohibitive and punitive measure.
The constitutional bench said, reasonable restriction on publication of court proceedings was for societal interest.