The Supreme Court Reporters Forum (SRF) on Wednesday requested the chief justice to grant journalists permission to enter the Appellate Division.
In a letter submitted through Registrar General, the SRF highlighted that media entry to the courtroom has been restricted for about four months.
This restriction prevents journalists from directly observing proceedings and collecting accurate news from the courtroom.
The SRF argued that such limitations hinder the delivery of accurate information to the public regarding the judiciary’s essential activities.
The forum emphasised that an unfettered and responsible media presence is vital for maintaining transparency, accountability, and public confidence in the judicial system.
Furthermore, the SRF noted that the lack of direct access creates a risk of information gaps and incomplete reporting, which may negatively impact the image of the judiciary.
The letter reminded the chief justice that previously written applications and peaceful programmes, including human chains, were conducted to secure professional rights, yet no effective decision has been made to date.
Consequently, the SRF has urged the chief justice to issue a directive allowing journalists to re-enter the courtroom after Eid-ul-Adha. The organisation also pledged its full cooperation to prevent any form of misinformation or “yellow journalism”.
