"Kerala High Court Slams Journalism's Shift from Four Ws to Four Ds: Defame, Denigrate, Damnify, and Destroy"
In a significant development, the Kerala High Court criticized the apparent decline of the factual framework that once guided journalists in reporting accurate and comprehensive news. Justice VG Arun expressed concern that the traditional four Ws of journalism, namely Who, What, When, and Where, seem to have been replaced by the "four D's" - Defame, Denigrate, Damnify, and Destroy.
The Court made these remarks while referring to a news item published on the YouTube channel Marunadan Malayali, where its editor, Shajan Scaria, allegedly made defamatory statements against Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) PV Sreenijin.
Following the publication of the news item, Scaria faced charges under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 (SC/ST Act) and the Kerala Police Act. The prosecution alleged that Scaria, as the editor and publisher of Marunadan Malayali, telecast false and defamatory allegations against MLA Sreenijin.
While Scaria admitted to telecasting a video against the MLA, he claimed that he had no intention to insult him. He asserted that the news was based on research and sources. It was highlighted that he had removed the video from public view after the criminal case was registered against him.
On June 16, Scaria's application for anticipatory bail was dismissed by a Special Court. Subsequently, he appealed to the High Court, but the appeal was also dismissed on Friday. The High Court found a prima facie case against Scaria under the SC/ST Act.
These developments shed light on the growing concern about journalism's shift towards sensationalism and negative portrayal, deviating from the fundamental principles of accurate reporting and respecting individuals' reputations.
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TAGS: Kerala High Court journalism factual framework four Ws four Ds Defame Denigrate Damnify Destroy news item YouTube channel editor Shajan Scaria Member of the Legislative Assembly PV Sreenijin defamatory statements Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act Kerala Police Act prima facie case anticipatory bail sensationalism negative portrayal accurate reporting reputations.
