The intention behind Supreme Court’s restraint on a TV programme to prevent vilification of Muslims is laudable. But the court’s criticism of media freedoms and its functioning is worrying. The SC has a constitutional responsibility to protect freedom of speech and expression. That mandate should remain sacrosanct even under provocation.
Rajnath Singh’s China statement reassuring, signals strength of India’s transparent democracy
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh’s statement in Lok Sabha on the strategic challenge posed by China on the LAC is reassuring and signals the strength of India’s transparent democracy. He spoke with a calm confidence, avoided chest-thumping rhetoric and did not give in to the opposition demand for granular ground details.
Delhi assembly threat to Facebook unreasonable. Fight against hate mustn’t be undermined by turf wars
Delhi assembly committee’s threat of coercive steps against Facebook is unreasonable. Facebook’s plea for recall of the committee’s summon because it has already deposed before a parliamentary panel deserves careful consideration. Parliamentary and assembly committees mustn’t work at cross purposes. Fight against hate messages mustn’t be undermined by turf wars.
Instead of the apex court, the I & B Ministry should have come down like a ton of bricks on Sudarshan TV. How is it allowing this travesty of how the SSR case is being covered by several channels.
This is not a turf war. The Delhi assembly is also elected and the story about possible bias in Facebooks action pertained to the Delhi elections. They have full right to call FB to depose and clarify. We know which way the central govt is tilted.
Our country cannot be like EU where any kind of comment or carton is allowed. SC and the proposed Commission must set some red lines about what cannot be said on shows. Otherwise it’ll be a free for all with PFI and SDPI also joining in.