Supreme Court stays Centre’s ban on Malayalam news channel MediaOne

The Supreme Court on Tuesday stayed the Central government’s order banning telecast of Malayalam news channel ‘MediaOne’ on security grounds. The apex court directed the news and current affairs channel to renew its operations, six weeks after it was forced to close down on January 31.

A bench of Justices DY Chandrachud, Surya Kant and Vikram Nath passed the order after going through files of the ministry of home affairs pertaining to Media One and gave two weeks to the Centre to file a detailed affidavit.

The top court asked the Centre to file a detailed counter affidavit by March 26 on the appeals filed by the channel against the High Court order.

Also read | ‘Clampdown on press freedom’: MPs and activists criticise ban on Mediaone channel

The court will consider on the next date whether the material produced by the Centre can be disclosed or shared with the petitioner – Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited.

On March 10, the top court had sought response from the Centre on the channel’s plea of against the Kerala High Court order upholding the Centre’s decision to ban its telecast on security grounds.

(With inputs from bureau and agencies)