The Supreme Court of India will issue guidelines restricting livestreamed court proceedings to archive-only access to prevent commercial exploitation [1].
This shift in accessibility marks a significant change in how the public interacts with the judiciary. By limiting the circulation of live streams, the court seeks to balance the principle of open justice with the need to prevent the misuse of judicial recordings for profit or misinformation [2].
The court is currently drafting a protocol to manage this access. This follows an interim order issued July 24, 2024 [1], which barred the open circulation of livestreamed proceedings. The new guidelines are intended to ensure that while the records remain available for transparency, they cannot be easily redistributed or monetized by third parties [2].
Activists have raised concerns regarding this move, suggesting that a fetter on the open circulation of proceedings could reverse the progress of an open justice system [1]. They argue that restricting access to archives may limit the immediate public oversight of the legal process.
However, the court said the measure is necessary to address the risks associated with unrestricted livestreaming [2]. The focus remains on curbing the commercial exploitation of hearings while maintaining a formal record of the proceedings for those who seek it [1].
The final protocol will define the specific parameters of the archive-only system, including who can access the recordings, and the conditions under which they may be viewed [2].
“The Court will issue guidelines that restrict livestreamed court proceedings to archive‑only access.”
This decision reflects a growing tension between digital transparency and the integrity of judicial proceedings. By moving from open livestreaming to a controlled archive, the Indian Supreme Court is attempting to mitigate the 'viral' nature of modern media, where court clips can be edited or monetized out of context. This may set a precedent for other judiciaries struggling to balance public access with the prevention of commercial or political exploitation of legal hearings.
