SC junks Centre's telecast ban on Malayalam news channel MediaOne
The Supreme Court on Wednesday ruled against the Kerala High Court's order, which upheld the Centre's ban on the Malayalam news channel MediaOne. The SC bench stated that national security claims cannot be made out of thin air and must be supported by material facts. The decision came after the company that owns the channel filed a special leave petition challenging the HC order.
Why does this story matter?
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) refused to give clearance to MediaOne, citing security reasons, following which the Information and Broadcasting Ministry decided not to renew the channel's license. In February, the HC upheld the ban, noting that the channel's shareholders were allegedly linked to the Kerala chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. The BJP government was accused of banning MediaOne for its critical reportage.
Critical reporting can't mean anti-establishment: SC
The bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) DY Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli observed, "There is no explanation on what weighed with the High Court in holding the decision is valid." The bench observed that the channel can't be termed anti-establishment based on its criticism of government policies adding that an independent media was vital for a functioning democracy.
National security claims can't be used to deny rights: SC
Noting that the Ministry of Home Affairs raised national security claims in a cavalier manner, it said the same can't be raised to deny people their rights. The court said that the Centre failed to produce any material fact or evidence of terror links to justify the ban. It said that the Centre's view presumes that the press should always support the government.
MediaOne reported extensively on anti-CAA-NRC protests, Delhi riots
MediaOne, owned by Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited (MBL), was among the channels which reported extensively on the 2020 protests against the Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) and the National Register of Citizens (NRC) and the following riots in northeast Delhi. During a press conference in November last year, Kerala Governor Arif Mohammed Khan refused to speak until the reporters of MediaOne and KairaliTV left the venue.
SC lambasts Centre over sealed cover procedure
The court noted that the HC didn't disclose the reason for the denial of security clearance to the channel. It reprimanded the Centre's sealed cover procedure, which has become the latest flashpoint in the Centre and judiciary's tussle. The sealed cover procedure alludes to presenting confidential information to a court in a sealed envelope which is to be reviewed only by the judge.
