Delhi High Court concerned over Newslaundry calling TV Today Network content 'shit'
High Court also noted that strongly worded opinions, including calling a program "nonsense," would amount to comment rather than disparagement.
The Delhi High Court has expressed concern over the language used by Newslaundry Managing Director Manisha Pandein a video commenting on content aired by the TV Today Network. Reportedly, Pande used the word "shit" to describe a television program.
A Division Bench of Justices C Hari Shankar and Om Prakash Shukla noted this could be considered offensive.
Pande used the expression while referring to a video relating to Good News Today, a channel operated by TV Today. The Bench orally observed that such language was inappropriate and amounted to disparagement.
The bench went on to caution that it may pass strong observations which could have serious professional consequences for the journalist.
These observations were made while the high court was hearing cross-appeals filed by Newslaundry and TV Today against an order passed by a single judge in a suit alleging copyright infringement, defamation and disparagement. TV Today has challenged the refusal to grant interim relief, while Newslaundry has objected to the prima facie findings recorded against it.
Court noted that it would not hesitate to implead the journalist as a party. The Bench went on to clarify that criticism by itself does not amount to disparagement.
The high court today has reserved its judgment in the appeals. The dispute arose in 2022 when TV Today Network filed a suit before the single judge against Newslaundry, its CEO Abhinandan Sekhri and other individuals seeking damages of Rs. 2 crores for copyright infringement and defamation of its anchors, management and employees. It alleged that Newslaundry had uploaded various videos on its website including social media platforms, infringing TV Today Network's copyright. It was also alleged that the online news portal also made "unfair, untrue and disparaging defamatory remarks" about its anchors as well as the management.
TV Today has contended that its broadcast clips were used for extended periods, accompanied by derogatory remarks about its journalists, going beyond fair use and constituting copyright infringement. High Court observed that comments on presentation style, editorial approach quality fall within the scope of legitimate criticism.
Recently, the Delhi High Court had disposed of pleas filed by Newslaundry and journalist Ravish Kumar challenging the Centre’s take-down directions against their reports and videos on Adani Enterprises, after the parties informed the Court that an ‘understanding’ had been reached with the company.