Judges have to be thick-skinned: Karnataka High Court in plea to halt live-streaming of court proceedings

“You (lawyers) have to be thick-skinned. Even judges have to be thick-skinned,” the Karnataka High Court said on Tuesday while hearing a petition filed by the Advocates’ Association, Bengaluru against the use of live-streamed videos of court proceedings by the public, social media users, and private channels on YouTube.

Justice Hemanth Chandangoudar made the comment after the Association argued that some comments and remarks made by judges and advocates were taken out of context and used by such channels for monetary gain. This, the Association said, hampers the morale and confidence of young lawyers.

The Bench agreed that content from the Court’s live-streamed videos was often misused, but added that the Court already had Rules in place to prohibit any misuse.

“I agree that lawyers’ morale can be affected, but the solution is not to stop live-streaming. Any offence is made, you bring it to the judge's notice,” Justice Chandangoudar said.

The Court thereafter issued interim directions barring members of the public from using or uploading videos of court proceedings which are streamed live on High Court's YouTube channel.

Justice Chandangoudar also ordered Facebook, X and YouTube not to allow such videos to be uploaded by private individuals.