MediaOne- ASG Refers To Comments Published By Channel Against Kerala HC Single Judge Who Dismissed Its Plea

During the hearing of the appeal filed by the MediaOne news channel before the Bench of Justice D. Y. Chandrachud, Justice Surya Kant and Justice Vikram Nath, Additional Solicitor General K M Nataraj objected to certain remarks aired by the channel on its YouTube channel.

The ASG submitted before the Court that "there was something said on the YouTube channel criticizing the learned Single Judge". The ASG demanded an apology from the channel.

The ASG added that the institution itself is in danger from the appellant.

Justice N. Nagaresh had on 8 February dismissed the Writ Petitions filed by the channel, its employees and a union of journalists challenging the restriction imposed by the centre on the telecast of the channel.

The Judge had held that the Home Ministry's decision not to permit renewal of the licence is supported by materials, after calling for and perusing the files of the Ministry.

On the same day, MediaOne, which continued to be streamed on its YouTube channel, aired a discussion about the judgment of the High Court.

Sebastian Paul, an Advocate and an Ex-MLA, who was a panellist in the discussion as a journalist, commented, "It is an unusual order that the High Court has passed. If we consider Justice Nagaresh's political background before elevation, there is nothing surprising in what has happened." 

The said video is still available on the YouTube channel of MediaOne.

The then ASG Amen Lekhi, who had appeared for the Center before the Division Bench of the Kerala High Court, had also pointed out that the channel had published personal remarks against the single judge.

Justice D. Y. Chandrachud said that everyone has a right to criticize a judgment so long as it is the judgment and not the judge.

Senior Advocate Dushyant Dave said that "I have nothing to do with it" and that he is condemning the same.

The Supreme Court passed an interim order today, permitting the channel to be telecasted again. 

Click here to read/download the order