[Ramesh Jarkiholi Sex Scandal] Karnataka High Court directs media to strictly adhere to programme code while reporting

The Karnataka High Court recently ordered that TV news channels while reporting news relating to Ramesh Jarkiholi sex scandal should strictly abide by the ''Programme Code' which regulates television content. .Jarkiholi, who was the State Water Resources Minister in the BS Yediyurappa-led Karnataka government, had tendered his resignation after being accused of demanding sexual favours from an unidentified woman in exchange for a job..The plea before Karnataka High Court moved by advocate and BJP member Arma V Hiremath, sought protection of Jarkiholi’s fundamental right to privacy in wake of the sex scandal allegations.."By an ad-interim direction, it is directed that any broadcast in the Cable Television Network shall be strictly in conformity in terms of ‘Programme code’ as defined under Section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 ('Act' for short) read with Rule 6 of the Cable Television Network Rules, 1994," the order passed by Justice PS Dinesh Kumar said. .Pursuant to the Court's interim order, the Bengaluru Police Commissioner on March 9 issued an order, prohibiting all broadcasts which are not strictly in conformity of terms of programme code as defined under section 5 of Act and the related Rules. Any violation of the aforesaid direction shall be liable for prosecution under section 16 of the Act, the Police Commissioner's order said..Hiremath in his plea before the High Court sought directions to the Union of India and the State government to implement the judgment of the Supreme Court in the case of Justice KS Puttaswamy Vs Union of India in its letter and spirit thereby safeguarding the right to privacy under Article 21 of Constitution..He also sought directions against the Commissioner of Police to take action against such respondent media platforms which violate the programme code..Hiremath cited the instance of telecast by media houses based upon the release of the contents of a CD allegedly containing visuals of Jarkiholi in a compromising position with a woman, contending that such broadcast amounted to extreme violation of privacy..The petitioner further claimed that he was espousing his own private right through the petition since he was apprehensive that the respondent-media platforms may get hold of explicit material involving him and broadcast or publish the same on their platforms thereby infringing upon his right to privacy that is protected under Article 21 of the Constitution..The petitioner who belongs to a particular political party is scared that he may be targeted by certain vested interests who would not think twice to invade his privacy and bring peril to his dignity and reputation, the plea added. .[BREAKING] Karnataka court restrains 67 media houses from publishing defamatory content against six State Ministers on sex-for-job scandal.Recently, a Karnataka court had restrained sixty-seven media houses from airing or publishing any defamatory content against six Karnataka ministers belonging to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in relation the alleged sex-for-job scandal that has rocked the State.The matter is expected to heard next in May..[Read Order]