Fake news can create tensions, endanger democratic values: CJI Chandrachud

Flagging the dangers of fake news in this digital age, Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud on Wednesday said such misinformation has the capability of creating tensions between communities thereby endangering democratic values.

Speaking at the Ramnath Goenka awards ceremony, where he was the chief guest, the CJI also said the vibrancy of a democracy is compromised if the press is prevented from speaking truth to power and stressed that the press must remain free if a country is to remain a democracy.

On media trials, he said there have been instances where the media has rendered an accused guilty in eyes of public even before the courts find them so.

He said as with every institution, journalism is also facing its own challenges.

"Fake news poses a serious threat to the independence and impartiality of the press in the current society. It is the collective responsibility of journalists as well as other stakeholders to weed out any element of bias or prejudice from the process of