Air India crash: Media blame game affects witnesses, apex court told
Supreme Court hearing on the Air India crash examines how sensational media coverage can affect witness cooperation and the criminal investigation process.
- The Supreme Court heard submissions that sensational media coverage had affected witness protection and complicated the investigation.
- Public commentary and speculative reporting were said to create pressure around the investigation.
The Supreme Court heard a submission that sensational media coverage of the Air India crash has affected witness protection and made the investigation harder. The hearing raises a classic criminal-justice question: how should the legal system respond when public commentary and speculative reporting create pressure around an ongoing probe?
The Supreme Court hearing on the Air India crash can be used to study the balance between Article 19(1)(a) freedom of speech and expression, fair trial under criminal procedure, witness protection, and the limits of sensational reporting during an ongoing investigation.
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