Lahore High Court Restricts Journalists From Filming on Court Premises

LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) has imposed a strict ban on journalists recording videos or taking photographs anywhere within the court premises, except for specifically designated media areas. The directive, issued on October 8, 2026, aims to regulate media coverage inside the high court and comes just a day after the court placed similar restrictions on police personnel entering the premises with unauthorized recording devices.

According to local media reports, the LHC administration issued the formal notification to maintain the decorum and security of the judicial complex. Under the new regulations, media representatives and camera crews are strictly prohibited from filming court proceedings, corridors, or judges’ chambers. Any violation of these instructions will result in immediate confiscation of equipment and potential legal action under contempt of court laws.

The decision has sparked a debate among media rights organizations and journalist unions in Pakistan, who argue that such sweeping restrictions could hamper transparent court reporting and public access to information. While judicial authorities maintain that the measures are necessary to ensure privacy, security, and uninterrupted legal proceedings, press freedom advocates express concern over the shrinking space for independent journalism in the country’s legal hubs.

Following the announcement, local press clubs and the Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) are expected to hold an emergency meeting to address the restriction. Representatives are planning to formally request the LHC Registrar to review the decision and establish more accommodating designated media zones to facilitate professional reporting without compromising court security.