“Critical Views Not Anti-Establishment”: Supreme Court Cancels Channel Ban

The Supreme Court on Wednesday overruled the central government, on stopping the telecast of Malayalam news channel MediaOne on the grounds of national security.

The court said that the channel’s criticism of the government’s policies and actions cannot be construed as anti-national or anti-establishment, and that an independent press is essential for a vibrant democracy.

Pulling up the Home Ministry for raising national security claims out of “thin air”, the court led by Chief Justice DY Chandrachud said, “National security can’t be raised to deny people their rights… it was raised by the Home Ministry in a cavalier manner in this case.”