This has become necessary to protect the interest of institutional integrity, particularly with the advent of electronic media, which has taken a new dimension, he told a five-member constitution bench hearing issue of media guidelines.
Salve, a senior lawyer, said reporting of important cases sometimes has a "chilling effect" on the conduct of court proceedings.
He replied in the affirmative to a suggestion of the bench headed by Chief Justice S H Kapadia that "can't we lay down the contours for Article 19 (dealing with freedom of speech and expression which also includes press freedom) and Article 21 (Right to life and liberty) to balance both the rights guranteed under the Constitution."
He supported the view for general guidelines on coverage of court proceedings, particularly in view of the principle of right to privacy and for protection of reputation of citizens by virtue of Article 21.
