SC: Every Journalist is entitled to be protected

Sedition cases against journalists and media channels are becoming more and more commonplace in the country, with political bhakts increasing every single day.

A sedition case was file against Himachal Pradesh journalist Vinod Dua, by a BJP leader, accusing Dua of defaming the Central government, for spreading wrongs beliefs among people causing them to panic, and creating a public nuisance.

Vinod Dua approached the Supreme Court against the FIR filed against him and sought “exemplary damages for harassment”. The Supreme Court cancelled Dua’s request of no FIR being filed against a journalist with an experience of 10 years unless it is cleared by a panel headed by a High Court Judge.

The Supreme Court said that every journalist is entitled to protection under the 1962 judgement passed by Justice Kedar Nath Singh.

The 1962 judgement reads “mere strong words used to express disapprobation of the measures of the government with a view to their improvement or alteration by lawful means” is not sedition in any way.