Delhi High Court calls for media law amid digital news boom

MUMBAI: In the age of smartphones, breaking news can be just a tap away but the Delhi High Court says accountability cannot be left buffering. Flagging the rapid rise of self-styled digital reporters, the court has called for a legal framework that regulates media activity without diluting the constitutional guarantee of press freedom.

Hearing a bail plea filed by two men accused of assaulting freelance Youtube reporters, the Delhi High Court observed that the explosion of digital platforms has enabled “anybody with a cell phone” to present themselves as a journalist, often without any meaningful accountability.

According to a report by Bar & Bench, Justice Girish Kathpalia said that while a free press remains a cornerstone of democracy, the right cannot be invoked to justify irresponsible journalism, intimidation or conduct capable of disturbing public order.

The observations came while hearing a case arising from an incident in July 2025, when two freelance YouTube reporters were allegedly attacked by a mob while filming a report on an allegedly illegally constructed place of worship in Delhi’s Seemapuri area.

During the incident, members of the mob allegedly snatched the reporters’ camera battery and mobile phones. Two men, Abid Ali and Fukran were identified as part of the crowd, arrested in connection with the assault and later approached the High Court seeking bail.

During the proceedings, the court also commented on the conduct of the reporters, observing that the “self-styled” journalists had apparently provoked local residents while recording videos. Justice Kathpalia noted that such individuals often ask questions in an aggressive manner to create a misleading narrative rather than present a balanced account of events.

The court further observed that such conduct can have consequences extending beyond the immediate incident, with the potential to deepen social divisions and disrupt communal harmony as well as public order.

Stressing the need for balance, the High Court said there is an urgent requirement for an appropriate legal framework that regulates media activity while ensuring that the constitutional protection afforded to the press remains intact. The court indicated that regulation should not come at the cost of press freedom, but neither should the freedom of the press become a shield for irresponsible or disruptive conduct.

The observations come at a time when India’s digital news ecosystem is expanding rapidly, with smartphones and social media platforms enabling virtually anyone to publish news content. The High Court’s remarks add fresh momentum to the wider debate over whether existing media laws are equipped to address the challenges posed by digital-first journalism, where the lines between professional reporting, citizen journalism and content creation are increasingly blurred.