The Editors Guild of India has expressed grave concern over the manner in which the Meghalaya High Court has issued a show-cause notice to the editor and publisher of The Shillong Times asking them why contempt proceedings should not be initiated against them for carrying a report on how the judges of the Court have granted themselves and their families many facilities and benefits.
It is unfortunate that an editor has been summoned by the Meghalaya High Court for what appears to be a factual news report. The Guild believes that the judiciary is one of the pillars of India’s democracy and should stand by the media in helping it discharge its functions in an independent and unbiased manner. Such contempt notices are regrettable and will be seen as judicial intimidation of the media. Judges, who have broad shoulders and are tolerant of criticism, are the need of the hour.
The Guild urges the Meghalaya High Court to take necessary steps that uphold the spirit of unbiased and independent functioning of both the judiciary and the media.
