Journalism Civilisation’s Mirror, Investigative Journalism Is Its X-Ray”: High Court

Chandigarh: 

Journalism is a civilisation’s mirror and investigative journalism its X-ray, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has observed while cancelling summonses and all subsequent proceedings in a 2008 defamation case against some journalists here.

In its order dated January 4, the Bench of Justice Anoop Chitkara also noted that journalists serve as independent monitors of power and report information for public good and safety.

“Journalism is civilisation’s mirror, investigative journalism its X-ray,” it said in the order.

The case emanates from defamation suits filed in 2008 by IPS officer (now retired) P V Rathee against senior journalists including Vipin Pubby, then a Chandigarh-based editor of a daily.

“Journalism is the fourth pillar of any democracy. As a journalist, the reporter’s sacrosanct duty is loyalty towards the citizenry. They serve as independent monitors of power, reporting information for public good and safety, addressing any problems or lacunae in the public system for its effective functioning and immediate redressal,” the court said in the judgment.