Media Coverage Of Sushant Singh Rajput's Death Violated Journalistic Norms: Press Council Of India

The Press Council of India has noted with distress that coverage of the death of Bollywood actor Sushant Singh Rajput by many media outlets are in "contravention of the Norms of Journalistic Conduct framed by the PCI".

In this context, the PCI issued a media advisory stating :

"The Media is advised not to use sensational headlines or use photographs, video footage or social media links while reporting on suicide cases".

The norm prohibits publishing stories about suicide prominently and advises the media not to unduly repeat such stories, reminded the PCI.

The statutory body for regulation of press norms further said, "The media is expected not to use language which sensationalise or normalises suicides or presents it as a constructive solution to the problems".

The PCI further expressed its concerns about "parallel trial" by media in the case.

"The Media should not narrate the story in a manner so as to induce the general public to believe in the complicity of the person indicted. Publishing information based on gossip about the line of investigation by the official agencies on the crime committed is not desirable. It is not advisable to vigorously report crime related issues on a day to day basis and comment on the evidence without ascertaining the factual matrix. Such reporting brings undue pressure in the course of fair investigation and trial.

The Media is advised to refrain from giving excessive publicity to the victim, witnesses, suspects and accused as it will amount to invasion of their privacy rights. Identification of witnesses by the Media needs to be avoided as it endangers them to come under pressure from the accused or his associates as well as investigating agencies", it said.

A PIL has been filed in the Bombay HC seeking to stop "media trial" in the case against the accused Rhea Chakraborty.

The plea contended that prominent newschannels were "scandalizing" Sushant Singh Rajput's death.