Rights Commission warns TV channels

Kerala State Human Rights Commission has warned TV channels against airing visuals in a sexual harassment case filed by a woman against JD-S MLA Jose Thettayil, saying that the channels aired the visuals without verifying them.
Commission Chairman J B Coshy said media should have exercised restraint while reporting cases that were under investigation. Airing of such visuals would set a wrong precedent, he said, adding that the channels did not check whether the visuals were morphed or not.
The Commission made the observation while disposing of complaints filed by Daisy, wife of Jose Thettayil and Youth Congress state secretary Thampi Subramaniam. The Commission noted that it was for the investigation team to find out whether Thettayil was guilty of the offence.

The Commission also directed the government to ensure that police inquiry into the case was impartial and on the right course.