Don't watch if you don't like: Supreme Court on pleas to regulate TV news channels
The Supreme Court refused to entertain two petitions seeking guidelines for the regulation of television news channels and a media tribunal for grievance redressal related to the content being aired.
The Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to entertain pleas seeking to regulate television news channels and the content being aired.
A division bench led by Justice Abhay Oka orally remarked that viewers have the freedom to choose whether or not to watch these channels.
Expressing displeasure at the trend of filing all matters before the Supreme Court, the court questioned why the petitioners did not approach the high court.
"If you do not like these channels, then do not watch them," the court stated. "There's freedom to not press the TV button."
The court also addressed the issue of statements made about judges on social media, saying, "We do not take it seriously. Who will lay down guidelines?"
Consequently, the Supreme Court refused to entertain pleas that called for the establishment of an independent media tribunal to quickly decide complaints against media businesses.
The pleas also sought the framing of guidelines to regulate the free speech of broadcasters and electronic media, as well as the creation of an independent regulatory authority for news broadcasters to prevent sensational reporting by TV channels on critical issues.
