CLC Webinar: Senior Advocate Rebecca John On Media Trials [25 May]

Theme: Trial by Media: Free Speech and Fair Trial under the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973

Speaker: Rebecca Mammen John, Senior Advocate, High Court of Delhi

Date and Time: 25 May 2020 | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.

About the Theme: When a sensational criminal case comes up for investigation before the police or adjudication in a subsequent trial before the Court, the usual question asked is 'Is the media expected to be a silent spectator insensitive to the happenings around and failing to quench the public curiosity about the case?' But while a free press is indispensable for the smooth functioning of the democracy, arguments are always made that the Fourth Pillar of democracy, the Press, transgress its domain under the garb of freedom of speech and expression to the extent as to prejudice the trial itself. It is also often argued that the time has come to legislate to control the unfettered power of media.

Therefore, this webinar will analyze if the law, as evolved by the Courts in this regard, balances both these rights – freedom of Right to Freedom of Speech and Expression and Right to Fair Trial.

It will also be interesting to understand that with the evolving technology media is not restricted to Press as traditionally known. With the advent of various social media tools, new information is being disseminated at the speed of light. There is hardly any mechanism to check the spread of fake news. How does one then balance these conflicting rights in today's time?

About the Speaker: Rebecca Mammen John is a Senior Advocate who practices in the Supreme Court of India and the High Court of Delhi. Ms John joined the profession in 1990 when there were hardly any female lawyers in the profession. An alumnus of Campus Law Centre, some of the eminent cases she has worked on include the Hawala scam on 1996, Anti-Sikh riots of 1984, Hashimpura Massacre of 1986, Delhi Diwali blast case of 2005, the Ishrat Jahan encounter case and the Aarushi Talwar murder case.

Moderator: Asst. Prof. Anumeha Mishra, Campus Law Centre

To register, click here.

The event will be aired live on YouTube and Facebook.

For further details, click here.