NEWS: Plea in SC, Direct Centre, to Control the “uncontrolled” Broadcasting Electronic News Channels

By Legal Wires 5 Minutes Read

A petition has been filed in SC seeking to protect the right to life with dignity as guaranteed under the constitution of India. The Petition urges SC to direct the centre to restrict the activities of unregulated, uncontrolled, “self-declared” news broadcasting channels that have been carrying on the assassination of individual, community, and religious dignity under the semblance of freedom of the press.

Petition states:

“The question of the Legal control over electronic broadcasting sources i.e. like radio, television and internet protocol television is a topic to be pondered over in recent times in India, especially when there is circulation of fake news, bad journalism or hate speeches in the name of journalism and which also became a plate-form to assassinate the dignity of an individual or religious and political organizations. The live debates and reporting on the electronic broadcasting channels cannot be stopped until unless it would be regulated by statutory body.

It claims that few electronic broadcasting channels/press have been spreading negativity and enmity among different communities of the nation.

Pointing towards the recent matter of, editor-in-chief of Republic News, Arnab Goswami, that the news anchor used defamatory and provoking language against the community, panelists, their religion in the name of journalism during his TV debates.

“… recently, the said Anchor who claimed himself to be victim of attack, used inappropriate words against leader of one political party. Instead of giving statement to IO and participating in the investigation, the said Anchor used the said electronic broadcasting channel for attacking on one political party, its’ President Smt. Sonia Gandhi and her family members”, the petition states.

The plea prays for the constitution of Broadcasting Regulatory Authority of India, which will be an independent authority for the purpose of regulating and controlling broadcasting services in India.

The plea also contends that airways are public property and it is necessary to

“regulate the use of such airwaves in the national and public interest, particularly with a view to ensuring proper dissemination of content and in the widest possible manner.

The petition also urges the SC to take cognizance into the matter and to issue certain directions to restrict media channels from conducting a medial trail or airing its own judgmental view and interfering in the administration of justice.

It further submits that there is a dire need for proper regulation and legislation in this area. Thus, such uncontrolled and unregulated electronic broadcasting channels have been

“attacking the foundation of unity and integrity of India and working against its’ Sovereignty, Socialism, Secularism and democracy.

“These self-declared, un-controlled and un-regulated electronic broadcasting channels are falsely claiming themselves as media and have been running by foreign / Indian investors in the name of news channels/media”, the petition states.

Legal Wires

Team @LegalWires

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