On 5th April, the Supreme Court of India set aside the Central government’s refusal to renew the broadcasting license of Malayalam news channel MediaOne citing national security concerns.
The Court turned down the argument of the government that certain broadcasts by the channel affected national security. The government had disclosed reasons for the ban to the Kerala High Court in a sealed cover, but the Supreme Court refused to accept the stance that it can only reveal reasons for the ban in a sealed cover.
The Court further stated that it is the duty of the press to speak truth to power and critical views aired by the channel cannot be termed anti-establishment. The Court also turned down the argument that MediaOne was linked to Jamaat-e-Islami Hind and noted that it is not a banned organisation.
