New Delhi, 17 November. The Supreme Court has expressed displeasure over the central government’s response to the petitions, calling the media reporting of the Tabligi Jamaat case false and communal. The bench, headed by Chief Justice SA Bobde, said that if the government cannot create a system of controlling fake news through electronic media, then the court will have to entrust this task to another agency. The court directed the central government to file an affidavit in three weeks and explain what is the mechanism to prevent fake news under the Cable TV Network Regulation Act and what action has been taken against it.
During the hearing, on behalf of the Central Government, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta said that under the law, the government has enough power to act on fake news but it wants to protect the freedom of media, so there is not much interference in media work is. Then the Chief Justice expressed displeasure and said that we had asked how such cases can be stopped by the Cable TV Network Regulation Act. What action have you taken on the complaints received so far. There is no answer to both these questions in your answer. If no mechanism can be created under the law, then we may have to entrust it to another agency. Mehta then said that he would file a detailed affidavit about it. After this, the court postponed the hearing for three weeks.
On 8 October last, the court expressed displeasure over the filing of an affidavit on behalf of a lower level officer of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The court had said that senior officers should file an affidavit. The court said that the fundamental right to freedom of expression is being abused the most nowadays. The court said that the affidavit is trying to shake off responsibility. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta had said that the Secretary of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting would file an affidavit. The Supreme Court had then said that the government should tell who made the objectionable reporting during that period and what action was taken against them.
During the hearing on August 7, the Central Government had said that this would be a violation of freedom of expression i.e. ban on media. Tablighi Jamaat of reporting c will prevent the violation of the right to know the people and reporters about the events in the society. During the hearing, the National broadcaster Association said it Tablighi Jamaat on media reporting has issued notices to the complaints. Then on behalf of the petitioner, advocate Dushyant Dave had said that the National Broadcaster Association and Press Council Of India has no authority to issue orders. Then the Chief Justice had said that we will pass the order. Then Dave said that the government has not done anything on it so far. Then the Chief Justice had said that as far as our experience they will do nothing till we give instructions.
The petition has been filed by Jamiat Ulema A. Hind. While hearing the petition, the court has issued notice to the Central Government and the Press Council of India. The petition ‘ press freedom ‘ is went seeking to define. (HC)