CONTEMPT POWER AND PRESS FREEDOM

Read the editorial in the Indian Express applauding the government for moving to make truth a defense in contempt proceedings against journalists. As I noted earlier, Indian judges have not refrained from using the contempt power to punish journalists who cast doubt on the integrity of the judicial system; indeed, the contempt power has apparently been a powerful tool for the Indian judiciary in improving its public image in comparison to other political institutions. More on this later.