What happened
The Delhi High Court criticised unregulated self-proclaimed reporting through mobile phones and microphones while granting bail to two accused persons in an assault case involving two freelance reporters working for a YouTube channel. Justice Girish Kathpalia said the rapid spread of social media had created a large unregulated and unorganised media space, and he urged the legislature to consider a framework that preserves press freedom while ensuring professional accountability and ethical standards.
The case arose after the reporters were filming a video at a place of worship in Seemapuri, allegedly constructed without authorisation. Local residents reportedly objected, chased the reporters into a bus, and a mob allegedly including the accused assaulted them.
Background and earlier position
The prosecution argued that the assault amounted to an attack on press freedom. The Delhi High Court noted, however, that the two reporters were not associated with any accredited news organisation. The court’s observation highlights a recurring issue in the digital news space: the absence of a clear professional boundary between journalism, content creation, and unregulated online broadcasting.
Why the issue matters
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