The Supreme Court on March 7 agreed to list on March 10 an appeal filed by Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited against the Kerala High Court decision upholding the government’s move to not renew the licence of its TV channel, Media One, on the ground of “national security and public order”.
Making an urgent oral mentioning before Chief Justice of India N. V. Ramana, who is leading a three-judge Bench, senior advocate Dushyant Dave and advocate Haris Beeran, appearing for the media company, urged that the case was “too serious” to be heard late and should be taken up early as it concerned issues of free speech, free Press and the right to information of the public. The issue also concerned the livelihood of over 350 journalists.
The CJI agreed to Mr. Dave’s request to list the case on March 10.
