Criticism of govt not anti-national, says SC whole lifting ban on news channel

New Delhi (India), April 5, 2023: In a major blow to the government’s attempt to stifle media criticism, the Supreme Court on Wednesday lifted curbs on the Malayalam news channel, MediaOne, that were imposed on “national security” grounds.

The court called the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s decision to refuse the channel’s broadcast license renewal a violation of the right to freedom of expression, adding that criticism of the government cannot be construed as anti-national or anti-establishment.

The court slammed the Home Ministry for raising national security claims without providing any material facts or evidence to justify its decision to impose the broadcast ban on MediaOne. The judges added that national security cannot be used as a ground to deny people their rights and that the government cannot expect the press to support its policies.

MediaOne was one of the few channels that extensively reported on the anti-Citizenship Amendment Act protests in Delhi and other parts of the country in February 2020. The channel’s reporting had allegedly drawn the ire of the government, which accused it of airing “anti-national” content.

The Supreme Court’s scathing remarks are expected to bolster press freedom and encourage media outlets to report without fear of government reprisals.