GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 4th Oct. The Supreme Court of India on Friday said that criminal cases should not be filed against journalists simply for expressing views that may be perceived as critical of the government.
A bench comprising Justices Hrishikesh Roy and SVN Bhatti highlighted the importance of freedom of expression in democratic nations, reiterating that journalists’ rights are safeguarded under Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution.
The remarks came during the hearing of a plea filed by journalist Abhishek Upadhyay, who sought the quashing of an FIR lodged against him in Uttar Pradesh. The FIR was related to his news report discussing the “caste dynamics of the general administration” in the state.
“Merely because writings of a journalist are perceived as criticism of the government, criminal cases should not be slapped against the writer,” the bench stated.
While issuing a notice to the Uttar Pradesh government for its response to the plea, the court ordered that no coercive actions should be taken against Upadhyay concerning the article in question. The matter is scheduled for further hearing in four weeks.
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