Editor's Pick: SC allows MediaOne to continue its broadcast

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the Central government’s decision to revoke the security clearance of Kerala-based news and current affairs TV channel MediaOne “on the basis of intelligence inputs which are sensitive and secretive in nature.” The channel can now continue operations as before January 31. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heading a three-judge Bench, said the Centre’s decision had effectively shut down the business of media house Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited, which runs MediaOne, in the name of “national security and public order” without fully disclosing the specific reasons for revoking its security clearance. The Bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath, said the company was entitled to know the “particulars” of the ban. The Court also criticised the practice of the government and its agencies filing reports in sealed envelopes directly in court without sharing the contents with the opposite party. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave and advocate Haris Beeran, representing the company, said if the court allowed this to happen “no media or publication is safe. Everybody can be shut down anytime.” After perusing the contents of the government files based on which the company’s security clearance was not renewed in an order on January 31, 2022, the court said: “At the present stage we are of the view that a case for interim relief has been made out in behalf of the petitioners (media house).” “We accordingly direct that, pending further orders, the order of the Union government of January 2022 revoking security clearance to Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited shall remain stayed,” the court directed. The court asked the Centre to file its counter affidavit before March 26. The Supreme Court has upheld media freedom once again by upholding the freedom of speech and expression. The report on the court order is on the front page of the newspaper for its implications on the freedom not only to disseminate information but also the freedom to consume information. The report also raises the larger question of the Kerala High Court’s wisdom in accepting the government’s view that the channel’s content would disturb national security and order without subjecting it to scrutiny and directing the channel to stop operations. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more. Click here The Hindu’s Editorials Growing price pressures: On need to tame inflation White sheen: On India’s staggering dominance in Test cricket The Hindu’s Daily Quiz The Union Health Ministry has said that from March 16, children aged 12-14 would be eligible to take which COVID vaccine? Covaxin Covishield Corbevax Sputnik Light To find out the answer and play the full quiz, click here [logo] Editor's Pick 16 MARCH 2022 [The Hindu logo] In the Editor's Pick newsletter, The Hindu explains why a story was important enough to be carried on the front page of today's edition of our newspaper. [Arrow]( [Open in browser]( [Mail icon]( [More newsletters]( Supreme Court allows MediaOne to continue its broadcast The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the Central government’s decision to revoke the security clearance of Kerala-based news and current affairs TV channel MediaOne “on the basis of intelligence inputs which are sensitive and secretive in nature.” The channel can now continue operations as before January 31. Justice D.Y. Chandrachud, heading a three-judge Bench, said the Centre’s decision had effectively shut down the business of media house Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited, which runs MediaOne, in the name of “national security and public order” without fully disclosing the specific reasons for revoking its security clearance. The Bench, also comprising Justices Surya Kant and Vikram Nath, said the company was entitled to know the “particulars” of the ban. The Court also criticised the practice of the government and its agencies filing reports in sealed envelopes directly in court without sharing the contents with the opposite party. Senior advocate Dushyant Dave and advocate Haris Beeran, representing the company, said if the court allowed this to happen “no media or publication is safe. Everybody can be shut down anytime.” After perusing the contents of the government files based on which the company’s security clearance was not renewed in an order on January 31, 2022, the court said: “At the present stage we are of the view that a case for interim relief has been made out in behalf of the petitioners (media house).” “We accordingly direct that, pending further orders, the order of the Union government of January 2022 revoking security clearance to Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited shall remain stayed,” the court directed. The court asked the Centre to file its counter affidavit before March 26. The Supreme Court has upheld media freedom once again by upholding the freedom of speech and expression. The report on the court order is on the front page of the newspaper for its implications on the freedom not only to disseminate information but also the freedom to consume information. The report also raises the larger question of the[Kerala High Court’s wisdom in accepting the government’s view]( that the channel’s content would disturb national security and order without subjecting it to scrutiny and directing the channel to stop operations. Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Head over to our newsletter subscription page to sign up for Editor‘s Pick and more.  [Click here]( The Hindu’s Editorials [Arrow][Growing price pressures: On need to tame inflation]( [Arrow][White sheen: On India’s staggering dominance in Test cricketÂ]( The Hindu’s Daily Quiz The Union Health Ministry has said that from March 16, children aged 12-14 would be eligible to take which COVID vaccine? - Covaxin - Covishield - Corbevax - Sputnik Light To find out the answer and play the full quiz, [click here]( Today’s Best Reads [[Mixed signals from Ukraine govt. delayed students: Jaishankar tells RS] Mixed signals from Ukraine govt. delayed students: Jaishankar tells RS]( [[Chennai to host Chess Olympiad] Chennai to host Chess Olympiad]( [[Chair of excellence at USI in memory of Gen. Rawat] Chair of excellence at USI in memory of Gen. Rawat]( [[Student moves Supreme Court against HC ruling on hijab] Student moves Supreme Court against HC ruling on hijab]( Copyright @ 2022, THG PUBLISHING PVT LTD. If you are facing any trouble in viewing this newsletter, please [try here]( If you do not wish to receive such emails [go here](