Security clearance from home ministry isn’t required to renew broadcast licence: MediaOne to SC

Security clearance from the home ministry is not a requirement while renewing a television channel’s broadcast licence, Malayalam channel MediaOne argued at the Supreme Court today.

As reported by LiveLaw, the news channel, whose transmission had been barred by the I&B ministry in January, said the government cannot “add conditions” for renewal that haven’t already been spelt out under relevant sections of the Cable Television Networks (Renewal) Act. 

Advocate Dushyant Dave, who appeared for MediaOne, added that security clearance is a requirement “only at the threshold stage of applying for channel, not renewal”.

MediaOne first went off the air on January 31, saying the I&B ministry had cited “security reasons” to block its transmission. The Kerala High Court in March dismissed its appeal and upheld the telecast ban. Later that month, MediaOne’s parent company, Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited, took the matter to the Supreme Court which passed an interim order permitting its transmission. 

In June, the central government told the Supreme Court it could not disclose the reasons for the ban, and that there was “no need” for it to even do so. Claiming privilege under the Indian Evidence Act, the centre filed an affidavit saying a disclosure could have “far reaching and unimaginable consequences” on “national security”. It also said it could produce relevant files in a “sealed cover”.

Dave brought up this “sealed cover” in court today, pointing out “both sides should have access to the material”. According to LiveLaw, he also said a sealed cover “affects minds” of judges since “it is a catch phrase”.

The Supreme Court hearing will continue tomorrow.

This isn’t the first time MediaOne’s broadcast has been interrupted. In 2020, soon after the Delhi riots, the news channel was temporarily prohibited from telecasting for being “critical towards Delhi police and RSS”. Read Newslaundry’s report for more.

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