Freedom Of Press In India
ALIVE|August 2017

The institution of Ombudsman can ensure accountability of media without unduly strangulating their voice.

Dr P.K. Agrawal
Freedom Of Press In India

Freedom of speech and expression is the bulwark of a democratic form of government. It includes the ‘freedom of press’ as contained in the American Constitution. Press in India includes print media, electronic media and even social media. In India freedom of press is not absolute. The various restrictions within which the press has to function can be categorised under two distinct heads.

First, there are legal limitations which include constitutional law, that is, Article 19(2), Municipal Acts and judicial pronouncements. Secondly, there are practical restrictions such as monopoly with regard to management and ownership, public opinion, communication facility and journalistic acumen etc.

The constitutional restrictions have been imposed in the interest of ‘sovereignty and integrity’ of India, security of the state, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency and morality, contempt of court, defamation, incitement to an offense or violence. Within these limitations, the Indian Press can criticise and condemn the government and its policies as much as it desires.

After the Constitution came into force, so many public Acts have been made so as to restrict the publications and circulations of newspapers. Out of those, certain provisions of Newspaper (Price & Page) Act, 1956 were challenged in the Supreme Court in 1962.

Examining the ambit of these provisions the court held in the case of Sakal Papers Ltd. Vs. Union of India that restraint on the extent to publish any number of pages or to circulate it to any number of persons, was a direct infringement of the right to freedom of speech and expression.

‘Without liberty of circulation, the publication would be of no value.’ The Court further laid down that the court must be ever vigilant in guarding perhaps the most precious of all the freedoms guaranteed by our Constitution.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av ALIVE.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra August 2017-utgaven av ALIVE.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ALIVESe alt
Donald John Trump brings the US to inflection point
ALIVE

Donald John Trump brings the US to inflection point

The president elect is being looked upon with more apprehensions than appreciation.

time-read
6 mins  |
December 2016
Demonetisation: ‘Unleash the black money demon'
ALIVE

Demonetisation: ‘Unleash the black money demon'

An audacious move but there is a need to differentiate between despotic and democratic ways.

time-read
3 mins  |
December 2016
High Tech Courts Of Social Justice
ALIVE

High Tech Courts Of Social Justice

These can provide speedy justice to the needy sections in an inexpensive way. 

time-read
7 mins  |
December 2016
Gujarat Ke Gadhey!
ALIVE

Gujarat Ke Gadhey!

Netaas May Call These Animals ‘Gadheda’ (Donkey), but for Me, They Are ‘Ghudkhar’ (Wild Ass), Says a Guard at the Wild Ass Sanctuary in Surendranagar.  

time-read
5 mins  |
April 2017
I Wish to Get a National Award Shakuntala Barua
ALIVE

I Wish to Get a National Award Shakuntala Barua

A famous Bangla Cinema actress talks about her past, present and future.

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2017
On Keeping Secrets
ALIVE

On Keeping Secrets

A little-known tale from Mahabharata that is so often used by men to prove male chauvinism.

time-read
4 mins  |
April 2017
Cho Ramaswamy: Not Just A Film Comedian
ALIVE

Cho Ramaswamy: Not Just A Film Comedian

Even in octogenarian phase of life he continued as the editor of ‘Tughlak’ and ensured the weekly never lost its sting. 

time-read
3 mins  |
April 2017
Bombay High Court quashes ban on women in Haji Ali Dargah
ALIVE

Bombay High Court quashes ban on women in Haji Ali Dargah

Removing the status of persona non grata for women at religious sites.

time-read
4 mins  |
January 2017
Pullela Gopichand
ALIVE

Pullela Gopichand

The man behind the coaching factory of badminton. 

time-read
3 mins  |
January 2017
Asha Bhosle's gift of lineage
ALIVE

Asha Bhosle's gift of lineage

Some untold aspects of the singing legend.

time-read
6 mins  |
January 2017