Supreme Court Justice Advises Judges, Lawyers to Avoid Social Media After Public Interest Cases

Kathmandu. Supreme Court Justice Sunil Kumar Pokharel has urged judges and lawyers to stay away from social media on days they argue or rule on cases of public interest. He made this appeal while speaking at an interaction program on 'Mental Health and Stress Management' held in Kathmandu. He stated that reactions to judgments on public interest cases can affect the psychology of judges and legal professionals. He said that praise and criticism on social media after a judgment or argument can develop exaggerated self-confidence or negative thinking in individuals, hence the need to stay away from social media. He said, 'On the day you argue a case of public interest or we judges make a ruling, do not look at social media that evening. If you make a ruling or argue a good case and the result is good, there will be praise. You might think 'Oh, I am great' or if it's bad, 'I am a monster.' Therefore, if you don't look at online media and social media that evening, the narrative will change by the next morning. So, on the day you argue or rule on a case of public interest, do not look at anything that day.' Justice Pokharel expressed the view that since public opinion changes with time rather than immediate reactions, it would be appropriate for those involved in sensitive cases not to look at online and social media on those days.