Media barred from interviewing under-custody accused

Justice Ali Zia Bajwa of the Lahore High Court has issued strong restrictions on media personnel, preventing them from conducting interviews with individuals held in custody.

Justice Bajwa emphasized the necessity of establishing a regulatory authority to curb such practices.

The court was addressing a petition challenging media interviews with individuals in custody. Justice Bajwa raised questions about whether media personnel could compel accused individuals to give confessional statements during interviews without their consent. He highlighted the right to remain silent, similar to the right to freedom of speech.

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During the proceedings, Justice Bajwa mentioned that interviews often take place with the approval of police officials, and in many cases, the statements obtained are confessional statements.

Addressing the issue of on-road interviews, he questioned the ethicality of forcing individuals to share their views while thrusting microphones into their mouths.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 14^th, 2023.