CJI criticises media for coverage on terror attacks

Cautioning media about the ill-effects of unrestrained coverage of terror attacks, chief justice of India KG Balakrishnan today said that it can provoke a disproportionate level of anger among people leading to irrational desire for retribution.

Speaking at an International Conference of Jurists on Terrorism here, he said if terrorists attacks were attributed to individuals belonging to a certain ethnic or religious community then it may result in unreasonable discrimination and retaliation against ordinary members of that community.

"We must take note of the fact that the symbolic impact of terrorist attacks on the minds of ordinary citizens has also been considerably amplified by pervasive media coverage.
 
"The proliferation of 24-hour news channels and the digital medium has ensured that quite often some disturbing images and statements reach a wide audience within a short span of time," he said in his address to the two-day conference which was inaugurated by president Pratibha Patil.
 
Law minister Veerapa Moily and eminent jurists from various countries were present.