New Delhi: Law Minister H. R. Bhardwaj on Saturday defended the role of the media in highlighting the lapses of the prosecution and thereby ensuring that the "rule of law" prevailed in the country.
Asserting that the country had a vibrant democratic system with a highly independent judiciary, the Minister rejected the charge that "trial by media" in important cases tended to influence the judges while dealing with cases.
In an apparent reference to the recent Jessica Lal case, the Minister said the media, far from interfering with the judicial process, was in fact helping society by exposing the lapses of the prosecution.
"When you have an independent judiciary you don't need to fear the press influence," he said.
However, he advised the media against using `unethical means' to `sensationalise' stories and cited an instance when as Planning Minister he had to offer his resignation to the Prime Minister after a senior journalist reproduced in the media what was purely "off the record."
"The media is the friend of everybody. There have been instances where the media has produced clinching evidence to help the prosecution in several cases," he said.
Supreme Court Judge Justice K. G. Balakrishnan, while complimenting the role of the media in various spheres, however, said publication of details pertaining to the alleged criminal activities of a suspect even before the commencement of a trial was not advisable in the interest of a fair trial.
