Digital abuse against women journalists cannot be normalised as part of ‘online discourse’: CJI-designate Justice Surya Kant

Chief Justice of India-designate, Justice Surya Kant, on Saturday (November 8, 2025) said the incessant and malicious trolling of women journalists by misusing their private data and after fabricating incriminating content against them could not be normalised as the “inevitable consequence” of online discourse.

Justice Kant, speaking at an Indian Women’s Press Corps event, was referring to the intensive side of Artificial Intelligence (AI) that could be used to cause physical and psychological harm by manipulating images.

“These perpetrators, instead of engaging with their actual work or the opinions expressed by women journalists, utilise these methods of ‘online violence’ to belittle, induce fear, and discredit them professionally. This type of digital abuse not only undermines the confidence and security of women journalists but also threatens press freedom by stifling the diversity and nuance of public discourse,” Justice Kant said.

Justice Kant said tools like AI were weaponised to circulate false and malicious narratives, which were later sensationalised.

“Often, the manipulated content persists online indefinitely, long after the story has retreated from the news cycle, making the damage permanent and devastating for those involved. As a responsible democracy, we cannot afford to normalise or tolerate such happenings as an ‘inevitable consequence’ of online discourse,” the Supreme Court judge said.