Republic TV's Arnab Goswami and Times Now's Navika Kumar Engage In Conducting "Media Trials":Intervenor In Sudarshan Case Tells SC

An Intervention Application has been filed in the Sudarshan case seeking to delineate the aspect of media trials as a facet of hate speech which is conducted by TV anchors in news debates via Electronic Media.

Filed by Advocate-on-Record Sunil Fernandes on behalf of Dr. Kota Neelima and Sangeeta Tyagi, in the plea seeking for a pre-broadcast injunction of the programme titled "Bindas Bol" on Sudarshan News channel, the IA produces a graphical analysis of four TV anchors who have allegedly been conducting TV debates in a manner which could be brought under the umbrella of "Hate Speech". 

The IA states that Dr. Neelima, through an independent research platform, has evaluated the content of news debates on TV undertaken by

"two renowned journalists i.e. Arnab Goswami and Ms. Navika Kumar, who have been engaging themselves in conducting 'Media Trials'.

"The study of the work of both the journalists, the IA submits, shows that "65% of the total debates conducted by Mr. Arnab Goswami from 31.07.2020 to 15.09.2020, and 69% of the total debates conducted by Ms. Navika Kumar from 16.06.2020 to 06.10.2020 were on a singular topic i.e. Sushant Singh Rajput Death Case".

It further states that apart from the "overwhelming and inordinate amount of time" being devoted to a single topic, "the manner, tone, tenor and content of the 'News Coverage' and 'TV Debate' was highly toxic, polarized and filled with innuendos, salacious gossips, wild allegations and character assassinations". 

The IA goes on to list the modus operandi employed by TV actors to sensationalize a piece of news which invariably leads to conduction of media trial as it creates a false narrative to covertly influence public opinion.

"Media Trial is another facet of Hate Speech. Media Trials can take place for a variety of reasons, for instance, it can be in order to grab a higher share of Television Rating Points (TRPs) or it can be something more sinister whereby certain private television channels act as a proxy propaganda machines for the Central Government", contends the IA. 

Shedding a light on the headlines of the news debates, the IA states that the same is a cause for concern as it is done with a "predetermined agenda" under the garb of freedom of press while comprising the right to a fair trial.In light of the above, the IA prays to the Court to allow the Applicants to place on record the detailed study on Media Trials.