The Supreme Court has opined that TV moderators should not speak what comes to their mouths. This was stated by the Supreme Court after hearing the petitions filed regarding hate speech.
A bench of Supreme Court Justices KM Joseph and PV Nagaratna heard the petitions seeking to prevent hate speech and propaganda in the country. Then judges and TV channels clash for TRP. Their competition for TV ratings is divisive in society. There is nothing to monitor news channels like Press Council of India has for print media. Freedom of speech is important but at what cost? This Court would like to point out a recent incident. The media drew criticism for mentioning the man arrested for urinating on a passenger on an Air India flight by name. The media doesn’t remember that he is still an undertrial. Everyone has self-esteem.
Hate campaigns are becoming a major problem in society. It needs to stop. Perhaps if a TV moderator acts as a promoter of such hate speech why should he not be removed from the show? India needs a free and balanced media. It is up to the moderator to maintain the dignity of a live show. Action should be taken if the moderator is not fair. Media should realize their responsibility. Media is in a position to influence society. Therefore, they said that action is necessary if they are in the environment of promoting hate propaganda.
