scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Tuesday, February 3, 2026
TopicFree speech

Topic: free speech

Pakistan’s deleted article and the birth of a new youth icon

A scathing op-ed on youth dissent vanished online, reportedly after instructions from the Pakistan Army’s media wing ISPR, fuelling debate, dissent, and backlash.

Pakistan court hands double life terms to exiled senior journalists, commentators in May 9 riots case

The seven were tried and convicted in absentia on charges of ‘digital terrorism’ over alleged role in 9 May 2023 violence that followed former PM Imran Khan’s arrest.

Kolkata’s silencing of Javed Akhtar exposes India’s secular vacuum

Even those parties that wear the label of secular and progressive often bow to the pressures of fundamentalist groups within the Muslim community.

Who gets Henry? Dramatic tug-of-paw between Mahua Moitra and Jai Dehadrai, now in Delhi HC

Dehadrai has moved the Delhi High Court claiming that a trial court’s 'gag order' in the matter has impacted his right to free speech.

Judging a joke: How courts are navigating free speech space in age of social media

With increasing cases of online satire, impersonation, and hate speech, courts face a dilemma: Where does right to free speech end and criminality begin?

Karnataka’s fake news bill won’t survive a court challenge

The Karnataka government’s concerns about regulating misleading speech may be genuine, but the heavy-handed approach adopted in the fake news bill does not seem to pass constitutional muster.

‘This kind of freedom, we will curtail’—SC summons Samay Raina, 4 others over disability jokes

Concerned over jokes on social media ridiculing people with disabilities and other vulnerable groups, SC says it may direct the government to frame guidelines for all media platforms. 

How to delist a comedian and become the real joke

The best cartoons of the day, chosen by the editors at ThePrint.

Hearing Allahbadia’s plea, SC hands Centre delicate task: frame laws to curb ‘immoral’ content

The court also allowed Ranveer Allahbadia—popularly known as ‘BeerBiceps’—to resume his podcast ‘The Ranveer Show’ provided the content did not breach standards of morality, decency.

Ranveer Allahbadia fought Left cancel culture. And yet, the Right came after him

These hypocrites give comedy a bad name, but no Indian citizen should have the full weight of the state used against them over a joke, no matter how crass.

On Camera

Floundering PM Internship Scheme has seen 44% drop out since 2024 launch. Budget deals drastic blow

Only 21 percent of interns complete programme as Centre slashes budget by over 50% after poor joining and high attrition.

CDS Gen Chauhan in Armenia, focus on deeper defence ties including new deals

Armenia has procured significant defence equipment from India, including artillery guns, multi-barrel rocket launchers, air defence system, sniper rifles, weapons locating radars, anti-drone weapons.

Swiss report should now close Op Sindoor debate. Knowing when to stop the fight is key too

The key to fighting a war successfully, or even launching it, is a clear objective. That’s an entirely political call. It isn’t emotional or purely military.