Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud emphasized the importance of judges adapting to the challenges posed by social media during live-streamed court proceedings. Speaking at an event organized by Harvard Law School Center on the Legal Profession, he highlighted the significant impact of social media on the judiciary, with an influx of reporters providing live updates on court hearings.
CJI Chandrachud acknowledged the inevitability of technology and social media in today's society but cautioned that judges risk being misunderstood when their comments are reported in real-time.
He noted the prevalence of two types of judges: those who engage in a dialogue with lawyers, playing the devil's advocate to draw out the best arguments, and others who summarize arguments and take them to their logical conclusion.
The CJI expressed concern that live reporting on social media often leads people to assume the judge's statements during a hearing reflect the court's possible judgment, creating a misunderstanding of the ongoing debate. This issue becomes more critical in criminal trials, where a presumption of innocence exists before the verdict, yet social media users often comment on the case's merits during the investigation.
CJI Chandrachud acknowledged the flood of news and views that trial judges face, even during the investigation stage, and raised questions about whether there should be regulation or self-regulation in response to the prevalence of electronic media.
Despite not being on social media platforms like Twitter or Facebook, he stressed the need for judges to undergo training to navigate the challenges posed by new technologies, particularly social media.
In conclusion, CJI Chandrachud emphasized the necessity for judges to re-skill themselves, remain conscious of their statements during live-streamed proceedings, and address the potential for misconceptions arising from social media coverage.
