'The State is using the plea of national security to deny the rights of the citizens. This is incompatible with the rule of law...The mere involvement of issues relating to national security will not allow the State to not act fairly.' https://thewire.in/media/supreme-court-mediaone-ban-national-security
In 2022, the popular Kerala news channel went off the air after its licence was revoked by the Union government, citing “security concerns.” MediaOne is owned by the Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited, many of the investors of which are reportedly members of the Kerala chapter of Jamaat-e-Islami Hind. On Wednesday, the Supreme Court said such a link, which itself does not have material proof, cannot be legitimate grounds to deny the channel a licence.
LiveLaw has reported that the Supreme Court bench came down heavily on the Union government’s non-disclosure of reasons for denial of security clearance. It also held that the disclosure only to the court – and not the affected channel – in a sealed cover, is in violation of the principles of natural justice and the right to fair proceedings, leaving the company “in the dark to fight out”.
05/04/2023