Focus on trailblazing cases such as Benetton & Coleman vs. Union of India, Indian Express vs. Union of India, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vs. Cricket Association of Bengal, and Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India.
Importance of understanding the backdrop and judgment of each case.
Benetton & Coleman vs. Union of India
Background: Largest media conglomerate in India.
Conflict over Newsprint Control Order of 1962 under Essential Commodities Act.
Aimed to reduce imports and promote domestic production.
Imposed quantitative controls like page limits.
Judgment: Supreme Court declared these restrictions unconstitutional as they curtailed freedom of speech (Article 19.1).
Impact: Reinforced freedom of press under Article 19.1a.
Indian Express vs. Union of India (1985)
Background: Government imposed import duties on newsprint.
Conflict: Increased newsprint prices affecting circulation and reach.
Petition argued it violated freedom of speech.
Government's Argument: Taxation was an economic policy, not a direct restriction on press freedom.
Judgment: Taxes allowed but within reasonable limits to ensure press freedom.
Impact: Highlighted the sensitivity of newspaper industry to economic policies.
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting vs. Cricket Association of Bengal
Background: Cricket Association of Bengal wanted private broadcast rights.
Resistance from Doordarshan's monopoly.
Supreme Court's Judgment: Declared airwaves as public property.
Impact: Led to expansion of private channels; reduced government monopoly.
Shreya Singhal vs. Union of India (2015)
Background: Section 66A of IT Act punished "offensive" information on internet.
Arrests for social media posts highlighted ambiguity.
Conflict: Section's vagueness led to arbitrary enforcement, chilling free speech.
Judgment: Supreme Court struck down Section 66A.
Declared it unconstitutional.
Impact: Set precedent for internet freedom and clarified limits of restriction.
Key Takeaways
Freedom of press is intertwined with freedom of speech (Article 19.1a).
Legal precedents established clarity on government limitations.
Importance of understanding how economic and technological changes impact press freedom.
Conclusion
Stay informed with reliable sources on current legal developments.
Focus remains on understanding nuances of landmark judgments for exams like UGC NET.
Study Tips
Continuously review landmark cases and their impacts.
Utilize available free resources and maintain preparation momentum.
Stay updated with credible information and avoid speculation.