Ex-CJI Sanjiv Khanna Discusses News Reporting's Influence on Society and Democracy

Former Chief Justice Sanjiv Khanna emphasises the significant role of news reporting in shaping societal thoughts and behaviours during a lecture on media and judiciary.

Former Chief Justice of India, Justice Sanjiv Khanna, recently highlighted the significant influence of news reporting on societal behaviour. Speaking at the Prem Bhatia Journalism Awards and Memorial Lecture, organised by the Editors Guild of India, he discussed the shared principles and differences between the judiciary and media.

Justice Khanna described the press and judiciary as essential guardians of democracy. Both institutions act as checks on executive and legislative power. He emphasised that while judicial decisions impact society, news reporting can alter public thinking and behaviour. "Judgments do have an impact on society, but news reporting can change the way we think and behave. We underestimate the impact of news. News coverage is not a benign source of facts, but subconsciously meddles with our lives. We may not realise we are constantly simmering in a soup of news," he stated.

Freedom of Speech and Media's Role

The former CJI questioned whether freedom of speech has expanded to include diverse voices and dissent 75 years after Independence. He pondered if it has adapted to modern demands. Justice Khanna noted that freedom of speech faces challenges from political overreach, digital distortion, and economic pressures.

Justice Khanna stressed that responsible journalism should present a complete story without inciting emotions or limiting public discourse. It should reflect various perspectives without hidden motives. He stated, "Judges reach balanced conclusions by weighing all sides before speaking through reasoned judgments, and journalism should strive for the same discipline and standard. Accuracy and fairness are non-negotiable."

Challenges in Modern Media

Justice Khanna expressed concern about the decline in cognitive reasoning among today's youth, attributing it to fast-paced news consumption. He remarked that social media often lacks depth, diminishing users' ability to think critically about complex issues.

He also warned against "new avatars of yellow journalism" and noted that quick news can reduce users' competitive capacity. "Firstly, the competitive capacity of the user gets diminished. Thinking in depth requires effort and energy," he said.

Distinct Roles of Judiciary and Media

The former CJI highlighted differences between the judiciary and media. While media shapes public opinion, judges respond to facts and interpret laws through judgments. He cautioned against judges editorialising their roles outside courtrooms, stating it would betray their judicial oath.

Justice Khanna emphasised that both institutions must maintain neutrality, fairness, and objectivity to preserve public trust. He warned that bias or misinformation could erode this trust, affecting rights.

He concluded by noting that while the judiciary and press are distinct entities, their health is interdependent under the Constitution's framework. Each has a separate role that must not be usurped by the other.

With inputs from PTI