Free Media

Dangerous provisions: Stop misuse of sedition, defamation against media

The only remedy to this sort of overreach by those who should know better lies through court action and legal reform

Media must exercise utmost caution before publishing anything: SC

The Supreme Court has said persons working in key positions in the media must exercise utmost caution and responsibility before publishing any statements, news, or opinions and observed the right to freedom of speech and expression was paramount. A bench of Justices J B Pardiwala and R Mahadevan reiterated that the power of the media in shaping public opinion was significant and the press possessed the ability to influence public sentiments and alter perceptions, with remarkable speed. The bench's observation came when it quashed a defamation case against English daily Times of India's editorial director and other journalists, who were accused of publishing alleged defamatory contents over the authenticity of certain paintings to be auctioned by Bid & Hammer - Fine Art Auctioneers. "We find it necessary to emphasise that right to freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution of India is paramount. At the same time, it is reiterated that ...

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India slips 11 positions on World Press Freedom Index; media voice concern

Media associations in the country have voiced concern over India slipping 11 places to 161st rank in the World Press Freedom Index, 2023, published on Wednesday. Global media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF), which publishes a yearly report on press freedom in countries across the world, had last year ranked India at 150 in a survey of 180 countries. "The situation has gone from 'problematic' to 'very bad' in three other countries: Tajikistan (down 1 at 153rd), India (down 11 at 161st) and Turkey (down 16 at 165th)," the RSF report said. "The other phenomenon that dangerously restricts the free flow of information is the acquisition of media outlets by oligarchs who maintain close ties with political leaders," the report, published on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, added. The Indian Women's Press Corps, Press Club of India, and the Press Association released a joint statement condemning the country's dip in the index. "The indices of press freedom have worsened i

Poland government passes contentious media law; defies US and EU

Parliament's lower chamber voted 228-216 late on Wednesday to approve the legislation, which ostensibly is designed to protect broadcasters from non-European takeovers

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi says won't back down on farm laws issue

Give me free press and institutions which are free, this government will not last for long, Rahul Gandhi said

If something is not worth paying for, is it worth doing, asks FT CEO

The £383-million media house, The Financial Times, has been on a roll ever since the Japanese Nikkei acquired it in 2015

Free media needs leaders willing to answer and reporters who can question

While we have seen leaders who are unwilling to answer questions, we have also seen reporters who are unwilling to ask good questions