Supreme Court Directs States to Formulate Police Media Briefing Policies

The Supreme Court has directed states to develop policies for police media briefings based on a 60-page manual prepared by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, considering central and international perspectives. The court noted states' insufficient response and ordered policy formulation within three months. The manual aims to create a rights-compatible, investigation-safe framework for police communication, addressing concerns about biased reporting and victim privacy. The court also instructed uploading the manual on its website within two weeks.