Mobilenews24x7 Bureau
Either media should mum itself or think or report as it is wished to do.
Earlier there have been instances also when the media found itself in tight sports as regards free reportage of happenings.
Now the issue has resurfaced again post the controversy over MediaOne imbroglio. An issue that has hit the headlines inviting the entry of the Supreme Court of India raising concerns if really the critical views of the media do amount to threat at national security.
The top court, however, appear to be skeptical on that matter asking that if that is a solution to take a platform off the ground. “We hold national security claims cannot be made on the basis of thin air. It is seen that none of the material is against national security or threatens public order” the SC has observed.
‘Unimaginable consequences on national security’ the Central government had told and then refused renewal of the license without even assigning any reason why.
During the hearing, the centre had submitted these reasons to the top court in a ‘sealed cover
The case came to the top court after the media house challenged the Union government’s ban at the Kerala High Court and the court upheld the ban.
While delivering its verdict on Wednesday, the top court answered several crucial questions on national security press freedom, and sealed covers.
It was straight and clear that while hearing the plea the SC held the view that, just being critical about any government policies do not fall within the ambit of ‘reasonable restriction’ under Article 19(2) of the Constitution.
So any restrictions on security clearances and denial of rights to operate can have telling impact on free speech of any media organization. Why MediaOne alone but on others as well.
“The press has a duty to speak truth to power, and present citizens with hard facts enabling them to make choices that propel democracy in the right direction” said the top court while emphasizing that media cannot be doing what the system wants it to do.
