Can't Use National Security Claim To Deny Rights SC Lifts Ban On Media One

"In a relief for Kerala news channel Media One, the Supreme Court today lifted the ban imposed by the central govt last year. On January 31, 2022 MediaOne channel was taken off air after MIB decided to not renew the channel's license in the absence of security clearance from the Ministry of Home Affairs. The Court passed the judgment in a special leave petition filed by Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd (MBL) - the company running the channel. It had challenged the Kerala High Court verdict upholding the ban imposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The channel's editor Pramod Raman and the Kerala Union of Working Journalists had also filed separate petitions challenging the High Court's judgment.
The Supreme Court struck down the ban and pulled up the Ministry of Home Affairs for raising national security claims in ""thin air"" without facts. The top court said critical views of the channel against government policies cannot be termed as anti-establishment as an independent press is necessary for robust democracy.

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