Supreme Court to Hear Accessibility Plea for Films and TV in December

The Supreme Court will consider a plea in December requesting mandatory subtitles for films and TV news for the hearing impaired. The plea seeks improved accessibility as per a prior directive for public spaces. The court seeks input from Prasar Bharti and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

The Supreme Court announced it would hear a significant plea in the first week of December. The plea demands that films and television news programs include subtitles to enhance accessibility for the hearing impaired.

Justices B R Gavai and K V Viswanathan are set to preside over the case. During an August session, the court tasked Additional Solicitor General Aishwarya Bhati to consult Prasar Bharti regarding a special news bulletin for the visually and hearing impaired on Doordarshan.

An advocate representing an intervenor mentioned a recent Supreme Court ruling mandating accessibility standards within three months. The lawyer suggested the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting implement this in the television sector. The bench will revisit the matter in December.

(With inputs from agencies.)