Age of media restrictions is over, say experts

Hyderabad, Feb 7 (PTI) Legal experts feel that therestrictions on the media in covering judicial proceedingsshould be lifted.

Charles Glasser, media counsel for Bloomberg News,opined that the media restriction on judicial issues will notwork effectively in the era of Internet and global informationrevolution.

"Courts putting restrictions doesn''t make sense anymore as so much of information is available on the Internet.

What is the point in preventing press from giving informationthat is already available."

"You cannot silence press anymore," Glasser said todayin a session on Trail by media-issues and challenges'' whichwas organised as part of the ongoing 17th Commonwealth LawConference here.

M Jagannadha Rao, former Chairman of Law Commission,said the Supreme Court had already drawn the line between freespeech and rights of the accused.

The session witnessed an interesting debate on variousaspects of reporting of judicial proceedings in the media.

Some participants felt that there should be restrictions onmedia while covering judicial matters.