AP High Court orders News 8 Odia to delete videos linking railway officer to blackmail claim

The Andhra Pradesh High Court issued an order compelling the Odia-language news channel News 8 to take down videos it had re‑uploaded on its digital platforms. The videos purported to show a railway officer allegedly involved in a blackmailing episode, prompting a petition that questioned the channel's responsibility for disseminating potentially defamatory content.

According to the court’s directive, the channel must remove all such material immediately and refrain from further circulation until the matter is fully resolved in court. The order underscores the judiciary’s stance that media outlets must verify the authenticity of claims before publishing content that could tarnish an individual's reputation.

The petition was filed by parties claiming the officer’s name had been falsely linked to the alleged blackmail, seeking legal redress for damage to his professional standing. The High Court’s intervention aims to prevent the spread of unverified allegations while the investigation proceeds.

News 8 has not publicly commented on the order, but the directive is expected to be complied with promptly to avoid contempt proceedings.