Must ensure basic human dignity: SC asks states, centre to take stand on hate speech

Commenting on the “unfortunate” effect of TRPs and the competition to create “sensational” headlines.

The Supreme court on Friday reminded TV news anchors that “freedom comes with great responsibility”. A bench of Justices KM Joseph and BV Nagarathna, was hearing a batch of petitions seeking a curb on hate speech incidents across the country and allegations of “misreporting and sensationalism” in the media.

The bench told the National broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) that they, as a regulatory body, must ensure that basic human dignity is maintained.

” TV is a very powerful medium. Particularly for young people, you influence and create divisions in society very quickly,” remarked justice KM Joseph.

The court has also asked the Centre and states about their stand on regulation of “sensational” reporting and repeated hate speeches by leaders.

“We don’t like the idea of government regulations on the media but this is a question of the unity of the country,” commented Justice Joseph.

ASG KM Nataraj, appearing for the central government, also assured the court that a necessary amendment to the CrPC and IPC, to allow for prosecution of hate speech cases is also on the anvil.

SC RAPS CENTRE ON HATE SPEECH

“We are bringing key amendments to the present CrPC. We are contemplating some significant amendments. It’s a consultative process and will take a certain time,” said the ASG, after the bench rapped the government for not taking steps to curb the “menace”.

The bench has also asked the Counsel for the National broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA) what kind of action has been initiated against TV anchors and media houses which are reporting in a biased manner, sensationalising or giving “one-sided information”.

The bench also remarked on the “undignified” language used during coverage of the recent Air India incident where a passenger allegedly urinated on a co-passenger.

“There was a recent case of a man peeing on a plane. What kind of name was he called on the channels? He is undertrial and human dignity is involved. You as a regulatory body must ensure that basic human dignity is maintained,” justice Joseph told the counsel for the NBSA.

The bench has for now directed all states to file status reports on the steps taken to curb hate speech and inflammatory speeches in their jurisdictions.

The petitioners have also pointed out that apart from traditional news media, the expansion of digital access and social media was also a serious contributor to hate speech and circulation of false information.

The court has now issued a notice to the states of Rajasthan, Uttrakhand, UP, Maharashtra and Uttarakhand to file detailed status reports about steps taken to prosecute the different cases of hate speech. It has also directed senior advocate Sanjay Hegde to act as amicus curaie and collate suggestions to curb the problem. The matter is now set to be taken up before the bench in mid February.