SC Seeks Centre's Response In Plea Demanding Independent 'Media Tribunal' To Regulate TV channels

The PIL stated that the establishment of an independent media tribunal is necessary to bring about a balance between the right to freedom of speech and expression of the Media-Businesses and the competing right to information of the citizenry.

The Supreme Court on Monday issued notice to Centre, Press Council of India and other respondents on a plea seeking an independent 'Media Tribunal' be constituted to hear and expeditiously adjudicate complaints filed by viewers against the media houses and television channels.

Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde was hearing the petition filed by filmmaker and social activist, Nilesh Navalakha and activist Nitin Memane who claimed that Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has totally failed in the discharge of its duties and enforcement of the Programme Code to which television channels are expected to adhere.

The petitioner said that the government is not able to handle the violation of program code and thus authority to check such violations should be handed over to an independent body.

The PIL further stated that the establishment of an independent media tribunal is necessary to bring about a balance between the right to freedom of speech and expression of the Media-Businesses and the competing right to information of the citizenry.

The plea also sought the court to lay down and issue appropriate guidelines outlining the broad regulatory paradigm within which media houses can exercise their rights.

After a brief hearing in the matter, the top court bench issued a notice seeking the responses of the government and others.