SC stays centre’s MediaOne ban on ‘security’ grounds

Staying the central government’s ban on Malayalam news channel MediaOne over “security grounds”, the Supreme Court allowed the channel to be aired in an interim order on Tuesday, Live Law reported. The channel had filed an appeal challenging the central government’s decision.

The matter was heard by a bench comprising Justices D Y Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nath. The order was passed after the bench examined the files relied upon by the ministry of home affairs to cite “security” concerns while banning MediaOne. On March 10, the bench had asked the government to produce the files it had relied upon to refuse the broadcasting licence.

“We are of the view that the case of grant of interim relief has been made out. We order and direct that union government order revoking security clearance to Madhyaman Broadcasting Ltd stands stayed pending further orders.The petitioners shall be permitted to continue operating the news and current affairs channel MediaOne on the same basis as the channel was being operated prior to the revocation of clearance,” the court said. It asked the centre to file a detailed counter affidavit on March 26.

The channel had gone off air on January 31 after the ministry of information and broadcasting refused to renew its licence. The Kerala high court, on March 2, dismissed MediaOne’s appeal against a single judge order that upheld the ban.