Cannot expect media to verify every advertisement! HC Denies to Impose Ban on Doctors, Hospitals from Advertising
Madras High Court
Chennai: The Madras High Court recently refused to impose any ban on doctors and hospitals from advertising in the media, One India has reported.
Although the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed before the HC bench seeking to impose a ban on the media from publishing advertisements promoting fake doctors, fake drugs, and medical treatments and hospitals, the HC bench comprising Chief Justice Sriram, Senthil Kumar Ramamurthy observed that it cannot be expected from the media to verify every advertisement related to doctors and hospitals.
Filing the PIL, the petitioner sought regularization of advertisements related to doctors and hospitals in newspapers, television, and media. It was argued by the petitioner that doctors and hospital-related advertisements were misleading the public.
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The petitioner further pointed out that people were being made to believe by giving exaggerated and fake advertisements regarding medical treatments. Therefore, the plea sought a ban on the media from publishing advertisements promoting fake doctors, drugs, and medical treatments and hospitals.
As per the latest media report by Tamil One India, the HC bench observed that it could not be expected that the media should check and publish every advertisement related to doctors and hospitals. It noted that the Medical Commission could take action against doctors and hospitals who violated the rules.
The judges further noted that the petitioner could file a complaint in this regard with the Medical Commission and if fake hospitals and doctors publish such advertisements, they could also file complaints before police.
Since there are already laws to take action against objectionable advertisements, the HC bench refused and ordered to dismiss the case noting that they could not issue a general order to take action against the media publishing the advertisements.
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