Press Freedom

Delhi HC directs journalists seeking access to CIC hearings to consider approaching Supreme Court; refuses plea

The petition filed by journalists including Saurav Das and Kunal Purohit sought to access reasoning that it performs quasi judicial functions, and its public scrutiny by the public was crucial.

ANI’s de facto monopoly is both constitutionally impermissible and dangerous to democracy

All signs indicate that the Prakash-run Asian News International exercises a private monopoly in covering government news. Until the government comes up with a national policy clarifying its stance, this monopoly is of concern not just for other news agencies, but how government information flows and reaches the Indian masses

Revoking Reporters' Collective’s non-profit status: How taxing philanthro-journalism aids majoritarianism

The revocation of the philanthropic status of the Reporters' Collective, which has consistently produced critical journalism, from covering Electoral Bonds to Adani, for purposes of income tax exemption, cannot be viewed in a vacuum. If anything, it is an indication of how majoritarian governments do not hesitate from weaponising tax law to stifle the press.

The blocking of Tamil website ‘Vikatan’ for displaying Prime Minister Modi’s cartoon affronts critical journalism

Earlier this month, the 125 year old website published a cartoon of Prime Minister Modi shackled, with U.S. President Donald Trump ridiculing him, as a satirical commentary on the Indian government’s silence over undignified deportation of various Indians from the U.S. Days later, the website went invisible. The government’s blocking of the website without supplying any reasoning is another blow to press freedom in the country.

Has Kerala become unsafe for journalists?

IT Amendment 2023: Now government will fact-check citizens online

A stand-up comedian has challenged the new amendment, which directs social media intermediaries to essentially censor or otherwise modify their content at the direction of the government, before the Bombay High Court on the ground that it would defeat the purpose of political satire if it were to be scrutinised by the government and censored as fake, false or misleading.

ED files a FEMA case against BBC India, more employees questioned

‘Political satire versus State: What content will survive the internet?’ discussed by panel comprising lawyer, independent journalist and political satirist at FoE Con

Union government makes a host of allegations justifying ‘survey action’ at BBC offices in India

BBC office raid: The limits of a tax survey

LESS than a month after the Union government deployed its emergency powers under the Information Technology Act in an attempt to bury a documentary on the Prime Minister, the Income Tax Department has conducted a 'survey' of the British Broadcasting Corporation’s (BBC) offices in Delhi and Mumbai in an apparently retaliatory move.

Travails of an investigative journalist in India

Who killed Judge Loya?: “Tell the truth and shame the devil” By Niranjan Takle, Dhamma Ganga Publications, Aurangabad, 2022, ₹450, pp.315.

Disclose reasons for denying security clearance to television channel, Supreme Court tells Union Government

The Supreme Court bench, comprising CJI-designate, Justice D.Y.Chandrachud and Justice Hima Kohli, expressed its inability to examine the legitimacy of the reasons, without letting the petitioner have access to them.

PM’s visit: Himachal Pradesh government’s order requiring character certificates from journalists withdrawn, as media bodies express concern

DIGIPUB deplores Income Tax ‘surveys’ against think tanks and NGOs

Take in India

Journalistic ethics versus public interest: Where does one draw the line?

Media in India: Shackled and spied on

Media cannot be given the right to speculate on outcomes of ongoing investigations or criminal trials: Kerala High Court

Justice Abhay S. Oka of the Supreme Court admires Bal Gangadhar Tilak’s views on what does not constitute sedition

In the face of orchestrated hatred, silence is not an option, journalists appeal to India’s Constitutional institutions

CJI Ramana asks journalists not to allow themselves to be coopted by an ideology or the State

The judicial kidnapping of Julian Assange

SC stays FIRs filed by Tripura police against HW News Network and its journalists

Zee News ordered to take down video criticizing civil society group as NBDSA finds them in violation of its code of ethics

Times Now, Zee News ordered to take down videos, as NBDSA finds them in violation of its code of ethics

Social media posts on violence in Tripura: SC directs state to avoid coercive action against accused

Justice Nariman Asks SC to Repeal Sedition Law, UAPA

Bombay HC’s partial stay of IT Rules has all-India effect: Centre to Madras HC

Survey exercise carried out by IT Dept at Newsclick and Newslaundry offices violated safeguards for right to privacy laid out in Puttaswamy verdict

Freedom of press compromised in Kashmir

J&K: Media Groups hit out at Police Raids, Summons Against 4 Journalists

Ukraine’s President is using the ‘Kremlin excuse’ to ban media that doesn’t always agree with him

Two months’ interim protection from arrest for The Wire journalists; SC asks them to approach HC to quash 3 UP FIRs

Explained: Bombay High Court order partially stay new IT rules on plea by The Leaflet

‘No Fetters on Freedom of Press’: J&K HC Slams FIR Against Journalist Asif Naik

Bombay High Court stays provisions of the new IT Rules 2021 on eve of Independence Day

Bombay HC partly stays new IT rules on plea by The Leaflet; says rules prima facie violate freedom of speech and expression

Challenge to new IT Rules: Bombay HC tells Centre to explain its opposition to interim relief to The Leaflet

Allegations serious if reports are correct: Supreme Court on Pegasus row