New Delhi, Jan. 22 -- The Supreme Court has directed states to frame and notify comprehensive media briefing policies for criminal cases within three months in a move aimed at preventing media trials, prejudicing investigations, and violating the privacy of both victims and accused.

The court expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of seriousness shown so far in regulating how police communicate with the media during investigations.

A bench of justices MM Sundresh and N Kotiswar Singh said that states could draw from a detailed "Police Manual on Media Briefing" prepared by senior advocate Gopal Sankaranarayanan, who was assisting the court as amicus curiae, while evolving their own tailored policies.

"We deem it appropriate to direct t...