SC Protects Press Freedom: No Criminal Charges for Journalists’ Government Criticism
In a significant ruling, the Supreme Court of India asserted that journalists should not face criminal charges merely for publishing articles that criticize the government. A bench consisting of Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti emphasized the importance of freedom of expression, as enshrined in Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, particularly in democratic societies.
The court’s remarks came during the hearing of a plea from journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who sought to quash an FIR filed against him in Uttar Pradesh. The FIR stemmed from his report on the “caste dynamics of the general administration” in the state. The justices underscored that the rights of journalists must be upheld to foster a healthy democratic discourse.
(With inputs from agency)
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