Even in the times of Covid-19, the SC order must not normalise an exception

History is replete with examples of states reserving wide powers to themselves during an emergency - only to not give up the powers even when the crisis receded

Dozens of studies have concluded that free media coverage helps slow the spread of a pandemic. The Supreme Court of India does not seem to agree. In a vaguely worded order passed on the 31st of March, the Court directed the media to “refer to and publish the official version about the developments” relating to COVID-19.

The order came in a petition filed by Alok Alakh Srivastava, a lawyer who espouses many causes. Mr. Srivastava has previously filed PILs seeking a court-monitored probe into the crash of Mirage aircraft, death penalty for the Nirbhaya convicts,