International Press Institute seeks scribes' access to courts

Kochi/New Delhi: Voicing concern over the “continued restrictions” on journalists in covering courts including the High Court in Kerala, the International Press Institute (IPI) on Thursday urged the Chief Justice of Kerala High Court to lift them. The Press Council of India also sent a letter to the Registrar General of Kerala High Court. Referring to the untoward incidents that occurred on July 20 outside Kerala High Court Complex, the International Press Institute (IPI), an international body representing editors and scribes, also pleaded with the Chief Justice of Kerala Mohan Shantanagoudar for ensuring that journalists in the state are able to cover court proceedings “without fear of attack” or other forms of retaliation.

“We respectfully urge court officials once again to lift any restriction on journalists ability to report from Kerala courtrooms and to ensure that journalists in Kerala are able to cover the judiciary without fear of attack or other form of retaliation,” IPI executive director Barbara Trionfi said in the letter to Justice Shantanagoudar.
Trionfi recalled that the IPI had on July 27 released a statement and urged court officials to ensure journalists are allowed to report on proceedings without interference. Noting journalists from the southern state have to rely on public relation officers of the High Court, Trionfi stressed it is not a substitute for independent reporting, which she suggested helps ensuring that court proceedings are conducted “fairly and impartially”.

“A free and independent judiciary and a free and independent press are two of the most important elements of any democratic society and both must be defended vigorously,” Trionfi added. Press Council of India sent a letter to the Registrar General of Kerala High Court acting on a letter sent by former MP Sebastian Paul. Press Council sought a status report of the matter within two weeks to enable the Council to decide further course of action in the matter.