The Supreme Court Tuesday temporarily barred news broadcaster Sudarshan News from broadcasting two episodes of one of its programmes, observing that the "rabid" show appeared to "vilify" the Muslim community. The episodes were to be aired today and tomorrow. The Supreme Court ordered a stay on the broadcast till it next hears the matter. While hearing the matter today, the Supreme Court also called for regulation in the media.
"At this stage, prima facie it does appear that the programme does vilify the Muslim community... Look at this programme, how rabid is this programme that one community is entering into civil services," a three-judge bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud said as it ordered a stay on the broadcast of two episodes of a show on alleged infiltration of Muslims into the bureaucracy.
"See how insinuating is the subject of this programme that Muslims have infiltrated the services and this puts the examinations of UPSC under scanner without any factual basis," said the bench, which also comprised Justices Indu Malhotra and KM Joseph.
"Such insidious charges also put a question mark on the UPSC exams. Aspersions have been cast on UPSC. Such allegations without any factual basis, how can this be allowed? Can such programs be allowed in a free society," the bench asked.
The three-judge bench said Sudarshan TV cannot air the episodes until the Supreme Court completes hearing the matter. The court will next hear the matter on September 17.
A NEW REGULATOR?
During today's hearing, the Justice DY Chandrachud-led bench also made observations about regulating electronic media. The court suggested that a committee can be appointed to help electronic media regulate itself.
"We are of the opinion that we may appoint a committee of five distinguished citizens who can come up with certain standards for the electronic media. We don't want any politically divisive nature and we need members who are of commendable stature," the Supreme Court said.
"We are not suggesting some kind of censorship on media but there should be some kind of self-regulation in media," the bench also said. "How do we lay down some standards for the media reportage?"
The bench added that there should be some kind of self-regulation and it would hear the solicitor general on this issue. "We are not saying states will impose any such guidelines as it would be an anathema to Article 19 of freedom of speech and expression," the bench said.
The court was hearing a petition seeking a ban on the broadcast of the Sudarshan TV programme, whose promo had claimed that the channel would show a 'big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service'. The Supreme Court had previously said that prima facie, the petition has raises significant issues bearing on the protection of constitutional rights.
(With inputs from PTI)
