Bindass bol with caution - Journalistic freedom

ABOUT THE CONTROVERSIAL PROGRAMME

• Sudarshan News, a television channel had dropped a teaser of a controversial show on 27th August which aims to expose a conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service.

• It lead to a number of heated debates on various social media platforms.

• A number of civil servants and associations condemned the teaser video.

• It was followed by stay order from Delhi High Court on 28th August to stay the telecast of the programme.

• On 29th August, the court disposed of the plea and directed the Centre to respond to petition which challenged its order to allow the broadcast.

• On 9th September, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting allowed the telecasting of the show.

• On 11th September, the Delhi High Court refused to grant a further stay on the telecast of the show.

SUPREME COURT'S TAKE ON UPSC JIHAD

• Seven former civil servants approached the Supreme Court seeking stay on the show.

• On 15th September, a three-judge SC bench headed by Justice DY Chandrachud restrained Sudarshan TV from airing the remaining episodes of Bindas Bol till further orders.

• The court also said that the show was trying to vilify Muslims and one cannot target a community and brand them in a particular manner.

• Justice Chandrachud also clarified that there has been change in circumstances since the court had refrained from granting a pre-broadcast injunction when it heard the matter on 28th August.

• The Court has further suggested that a panel should define the standards to be followed by electronic media.

• However, on 17th September , the Centre has urged the SC to not lay down any further guidelines for the rest of the mainstream media. It also said that if a framework is required, it should be for digital media having wider reach instead of electronic and print media.

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