Gag Orders

The Supreme Court recently granted interim protection from arrest in the FIRs registered against podcaster-influencer for his comments on a YouTube show.

• About Gag Orders by the SC: A gag order is a judicial directive restricting the dissemination of information to ensure a fair trial or protect privacy.

o Supreme Court's Stance: The Court emphasizes that such orders should be exceptional, issued only when publication poses a substantial risk to the fairness of a trial.

• Amaravati Land Scam (2020): Andhra Pradesh HC issued a gag order restricting media from reporting on an FIR related to a land scam.

o SC later vacated the order, stressing that media restrictions should be applied cautiously.

• Delhi High Court Observation (2024): Gag orders should be issued only when necessary to prevent a substantial risk to trial fairness.

o Not all court-related publications warrant such restrictions.