RNR, May 13, 2017 : “I intuitively conclude, mobile phones inside Courtrooms undermine the judicial process. One should be not be allowed to record, broadcast or communicate with outsiders while inside Courtrooms, without specific permission from Court itself.”

RNR, November 13, 2017: “Even if Live Tweeting is to be permitted one day, it should be left to trained, chosen and guided fingers. There would be then no cause for shame or embarrassment and Live Tweeting can hope to be more than just a self-regulating, public movement.” 

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August, 2018:

This reflects suspicion on Former Rhodes Scholar, Gautam Bhatia too?

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First, Goodbye Live-Tweeting. You were+are a useless habit.

Second, Welcome Live-Streaming. First-Week October, when India is awarded the next Chief Justice of India, I astrologically expect further decisions.

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Few comments on few submissions submitted before SC in Indira Jaising v. Secretary General, [Writ Petition (Civil) No. 66 of 2018]:

1. It is submitted, Live Streaming of Court Proceedings should be introduced as a Pilot Project in Court No. 1 and only in Constitution Bench References. The success of this Project will determine whether or not Live Streaming should be introduced in all Courts in Supreme Court.

Excellent if only Master of the Roster in Court No. 1 and those who he chooses to Bench with, are rewarded the camera in a Pilot Project. Master always bites the bullet.

2. Court may lay down guidelines/criterion to determine what cases constitute proceedings of Constitutional and National Importance to seek permission for broadcasting.

Judges make law. They are eligible to determine which proceedings of Constitutional and/or National Importance require broadcast!

3. Use of footage would be restricted for the purpose of news, current affairs and educational purposes and should not be used for commercial, promotion, light entertainment, satirical programs or advertising.

Footage is for viewership, news, education! I have to believe that stand-up comedians shall not mimic actions of Judges and Tehelkas/Caravans of journalism shall not publish screen-shots for promotion. Welcome, further case loads.

4. Without prior written authorization of Supreme Court of India, Live Streaming or webcast of proceedings from Supreme Court should not be reproduced, transmitted, uploaded, posted, modified, published or re-published to public.

Yes. Judges shall spend some hours in granting authorization to hundreds of journals, channels, humans who wish to publish and transmit. Life has more time than ever before.

5. Any unauthorized usage of Live Streaming and/or webcasts will be punishable as an offence under The Indian Copyright Act, 1957 and The Information Technology Act, 2000 and any other provisions of law in force. Law of Contempt should apply to such proceedings; prohibitions, fines and penalties may be provided for.

The fines must be decided. Did RNR just download from KickAssProxyTorrents?

6. Court of Appeal in England, in November 2013, introduced streaming its proceedings on You Tube. The telecast is deferred by 70 seconds with Judge having the power to mute something said in proceedings if he feels they are inappropriate for public consumption. The camera should not focus on papers.

Judges, while hearing, shall spend minutes deciding what to mute as though kids are watching Basic Instinct/Enter the Dragon. A football match broadcasted with a 70 second delay is not a live broadcast. Live Streaming is no longer live.

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Lawyers have transformed into stenos, as if they have attended a course on journalism. Live Streaming would help young ones to concentrate. There are tomes written on what certain physical actions mean and what usage of certain words indicate. I appreciate chances of knowing at what minute the Judge touched his ears, nose, forehead. They all bear meaning. I would love to know to who the CJI whispered what he thought was relevant. Since privacy is important(!), it is a must, all important actions in a Courtroom must be watched. All while a hearing is concluded do not Live Stream where your decision is destined to travel. Otherwise, when decisions would change with greater thoughts and greater power, you would not be what you were supposed to be in your next swim.

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‘Thank you, RNR. You had correctly warned us earlier. You are always right‘, said Ray.