Journalism is civilization's mirror, investigative journalism its X-ray: HC

Chandigarh: Journalism is a civilization's mirror and investigative journalism its X-ray, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed while quashing summonses and all subsequent proceedings in a 2008 defamation case against some journalists here.

In its order dated January 4, the Bench of Justice Anoop Chitkara also noted that journalists serve as independent monitors of power and report information for public good and safety.

"Journalism is civilization's mirror, investigative journalism its X-ray," it said in the order.

The case emanates from defamation suits filed in 2008 by IPS officer (now retired) P V Rathee against senior journalists including Vipin Pubby, then a Chandigarh-based editor of a daily.

"Journalism is the fourth pillar of any democracy. As a journalist, the reporter's sacrosanct duty is loyalty towards the citizenry. They serve as independent monitors of power, reporting information for public good and safety, addressing any problems or lacunae in the public system for its effective functioning and immediate redressal.

"In the fearless pursuit of their duties to uncover the truth and report such facts to the masses through media, these brave journalists do face various hurdles, e.g., pressures from influential parties, groups, or government agencies etc," the court observed in its judgment. To ensure an honest and correct reporting of actual events, such journalists require the protection of courts, especially constitutional courts to enable them to publish news without fear of harmful consequences, Justice Chitkara mentioned in his order.

"Thus, all courts must be more vigilant and proactive while safeguarding the interests of such courageous humans," Justice Chitkara observed, while disposing the petitions filed by Pubby and three other journalists.

The complaint against them had been filed against them in 2008 under IPC Sections related to defamation. Pubby and another petitioner have since retired from the organisation they worked with then.

They were booked under sections 499 (defamation), 500 (punishment for defamation) and 501 (printing any matter that is defamatory of any person). (PTI)