The Hindu has an editorial on the open-ended “temporary injunction” obtained by BJP’s Bangalore South candidate, Tejasvi Surya against 49 media organisations.
It says the pre-publication gag order is contrary to the law and the Constitution; violative of free speech; and authorises prior restraint.
“Even if the argument is that the order only prevents ‘defamatory’ content and not responsible reporting or criticism, that doesn’t justify a judicial gag order, as it may be used to prevent the media from writing anything adverse to his campaign.
“It may also prevent defendants in a future proceeding from using ‘publication of the truth in the public interest’ as a defence.”
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Update: Deccan Herald has an editorial on the topic on 6 April 2019.
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Update: Praja Vani has an editorial on April 8, 2019
Read the Hindu editorial: Poll time censorship
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IJR 