Introduction

By quashing the Information & Broadcasting Ministry’s order ceasing operations of the Malayalam news channel, Media One, the Supreme Court appears to have sent a clear message to the government of the day – that the freedom of the press is a key pillar of Indian democracy.

At a time when the press is under pressure to toe the Government’s line, the judgment is also a signal to members of the media – that they should do their job without fear or favour.

The press, the Supreme Court held, had a duty to speak truth to power.

Is the press performing this duty today? What are the larger implications of this April 6 verdict?

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