Login With Google
Prevention of media coverage in Hathras
Why is it in News?
- Editors Guild condemns prevention of media coverage in Hathras.
Details:
- Editors Guild Stand:
(1) condemned the manner in which the media was prevented by the law enforcement agencies from reporting on developments in Hathras.
(2) Equally reprehensible is the way the government has tapped the telephones of journalists engaged.
(3) Worse part is that the tapped conversation of the journalists has been selectively leaked, leading to a social media defamatory statements against them.
(4) Not allowing the media to visit the incident spots and tapping the phone conversation of journalists undermine and obstruct the functioning of the media.
- Freedom of Press:
(1) Freedom of press is implied from the freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India.
(2) SC on freedom of Press:
(a) There can be no existence of free citizens if the news media cannot speak.
(b) Therefore journalistic freedom lies at the core of freedom of expression, but it is not absolute.
(c) Freedom of press is a requirement in any democratic society for its effective functioning and governments are required to respect this at all times.