The Orissa High Court is getting ready to start live streaming its proceedings with the goal of advancing and extending the open court idea.
An official statement stated, “Live-streaming means and includes a live television link, webcast, audio-video transmissions via electronic means, or other arrangements whereby any person can observe the proceedings of the Court as permitted by these rules.”
The guidelines were implemented by the court using the authority granted by Article 225 of the Indian Constitution.
“The rules may be called as the High Court of Orissa Live Streaming of Court Proceedings Rules, 2021 and they shall apply to the High Court of Orissa from such date or dates and to such proceeding or proceedings as the Chief Justice may appoint in this behalf,” the statement issued by HC registrar said.
The court will not live stream cases involving children and juveniles, including situations registered under or involving the Protection of Children from Sexual Offenses Act, 2012 (POCSO) and the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Similarly, cases involving sexual offenses, including proceedings under Section 376 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860 (IPC), cases involving gender-based violence against women, cases related to the Official Secrets Act, 1923 or involving national security, Habeas Corpus petitions, in-camera proceedings, and cases that may cause violence among communities will not be live-streamed.
The court stated that no one has the right to claim live streaming of court proceedings as a matter of right.
The High Court shall have copyright over live-streamed feed and videos, including the feeds and videos retained in the live streaming platform after live streaming is over, prohibiting any unauthorized copying of the live feed/videos.
It further said that unauthorized use/re-use, capture, editing/re-editing, distribution/redistribution, or derivative works, and also compiling the live streaming feed/videos or using the same for any purpose, in any form, are not permitted.
