CHENNAI: Acting Chief Justice of Madras high court on Thursday inaugurated the Madras High Court Journalists Association (MHJA) - an association of journalists covering the high court affairs.
"Media is an indispensable organ for cultivating the democracy. At the same time they must be fair and reasonable, " Acting Chief Justice T Raja said.
Distributing membership cards to the members of the association, ACJ said, "These are not ID cards but gold medals to maintain the lakshman rekha in reporting court news."
Earlier welcoming the ACJ and other dignitaries, MHJA president A Subramani announced that the association will give 'Neethi Rathna' award to lawyers in three categories every year.
"The awards will be given for lifetime achievement, senior member of the fraternity and for upcoming young talents," Subramani said.
Secretary of the association D Ramesh Kumar read to the gathering a congratulatory message issued by chief minister M K Stalin for inauguration of the association.
Delivering a special address, Justice R Mahadevan said, "I congratulate the members of the association. Media is an important pillar among the four pillars of the democracy. What is published by media is vital. Therefore, must work realising their responsibility."
In his special address, Justice S Vaidyanathan said, "Media acts as a check and balance on the other three pillars of the democracy. It stimulates debates and discussion among public. It plays a pivotal role in voicing the voice of voiceless. They must act with integrity. They must refrain from conducting media trial when an issue is pending before a court. "
Bar Council of India's vice chairman S Prabakaran said, "It is a welcome move to establish an association for journalists covering the high court that too in the presence of the Acting Chief Justice."
Highlighting the menace of misinformation being circulated on social media, he said, "BCI is a member of Press Council of India. Since there is no rrgulation for social media we are planning to bring in some regulations for publishing news on social media."
Congratulating the members of the association, Bar Council of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry chairperson P S Amalraj said, "Every day they (court reporters) are among us in the court halls. I don't see any difference between us and them. We are lawyers who have learned law they are lawyers of the society."
Requesting the ACJ to allot a designated place inside the court campus to give interviews to media, he said, "Senior advocates are finding it difficult to go out of the campus and give interviews. Even in Supreme Court they have a designated place."
Concluding the event, MHJA's vice president A Wilson Asirvatham thanked the gathering.
