Freedom of Press is a universally accepted fact for a strong democracy. By repeating this fact once again, the top court of the country has established this fact.
The top court has given this advice to the government while lifting the ban on Malayalam channel Media One.
In fact, the Union Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Home Affairs had banned this channel on January 31, calling it a threat to national security.
The apex court bench also said that the claim of the shareholders of the channel to be linked to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind is not even a valid ground to restrict the rights of the channel.
A bench of Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli said on Wednesday that the government cannot impose undue restrictions on media freedom.
By doing this, the freedom of expression of the public is obstructed in a democracy. The court agreed that a strong democracy is possible only with the freedom of information media.
The apex court also reiterated the well-known fact that it is the duty of the media to bring the truth before the ruler. At the same time, present the real facts in front of the public so that the thinking of choosing a better option from logical thinking can develop in the public.
In true sense, the restriction on the freedom of the media is in a way a restriction on the expression of the public.
Along with this, the court also said that the determination of social and economic issues by political ideology is going to present a challenge to democracy.
At the same time, court warned the governments that it is unfair to ban any kind of freedom on the plea of national security. Doing this without facts is not in the interest of democracy. Together Also, in the name of national security, the civil reforms that have been done by law cannot be obstructed.
Not only this, the court also set aside the Kerala High Court’s order to continue the restrictions imposed by the government.
The apex court was of the view that freedom of expression is essential in a healthy democracy.
The sense of tolerance towards media which was visible in the post-independence governments is not visible now. Somewhere, the governments are trying to create pressure on vocal critical institutions affecting public consciousness so that they are forced to broadcast news as per the wishes of the rulers.
There is no doubt that cases of violation of the Lakshman Rekha of journalism have also come to light by some media organizations due to their commercial interests and policies influenced by the ideology of a particular political party.
But in spite of this, a large section of the media is making continuous efforts to provide fact-based information to the people.
In many states, print and electronic media have been interfering with the ideology of a particular political party and religion.
But despite this, media freedom is the need of the hour in the broad spectrum of democracy.
Vigilant and independent media is helpful in nurturing healthy and progressive ideology in the society. Media should also fulfill the responsibility of communicating information with neutrality and impartiality.
Whenever any media organization crosses the line of decorum and is influenced by a particular political party or ideology, then automatically their acceptability in the society comes under fire. In such a situation, governments get a chance to intervene.
Undoubtedly, journalism is like a sage. Without any economic inducement and protecting moral values, if the press plays its role responsibly, then public cooperation is also available.
In true sense, the freedom of the press is the freedom of expression of the people. Media has also got as much freedom under the Indian Constitution as a common man has.
