"In poor taste:" Delhi High Court on Newslaundry's commentary on pending case against it

The Delhi High Court on Tuesday expressed its displeasure over digital news platform Newslaundry offering commentary on the court proceedings in a defamation suit filed against it by TV Today group (TV Today Network Limited v News Laundry Media Private Limited)..Single judge Justice Asha Menon took exception to one of the videos of Newslaundry where the anchor goes through the suit. "The expression on the face of the lady shows how contemptuous she is... It is in very poor taste. This is not done… You cannot determine the merits of someone’s plaints. You can’t do this on plaints and arguments," Justice Menon said.The counsel appearing for Newslaundry submitted that the video will either be taken down or a re-edited by omitting the commentary on suit and court proceedings.“We shouldn’t have done this. I have taken instructions. I will not offer comment on court proceedings. We will only report. My lady will permit me to report what actually happened in the court and I will not offer any commentary. It is our responsibility to report what happened,” the counsel submitted..The suit filed by TV Today Network against Newslaundry and its Founder-Directors alleged defamation, commercial disparagement and copyright infringement. The suit has sought permanent injunction as well as damages of ₹2 crores.The counsel appearing for TV Today, argued that the respondents have used the plaintiff's copyright media without offering any valuable commentary or critique in an effort to demean their brand and news channels. The counsel said that Newslaundry’s shows were piggybacking on their content.“The fact is they are not doing it for criticism. These are visual media we are talking about and in a case of visual media if you don't have videos that are attractive, your content won’t succeed. They have used our videos for more than a minute while their own commentary is barely five or six seconds,” the counsel argued..Newslaundry however argued that edited and half-baked content was being displayed in court which was wrong.“We are an organisation with a philosophy where we report and critique the media. They want to criticise everyone and want others to be thick skinned but when we criticise them, they become thin skinned,” the counsel said while also alluding to the media outlets in the US where organisations like Fox News and CNN critique each other.Though the TV Today Network sought an injunction on Newslaundry’s use of their videos till the court hears the matter next, the bench denied the relief..The bench has now directed the Newslaundry to file its replies to the suit within two weeks and its written submissions within four weeks.