ISSN (Print) - 0012-9976 | ISSN (Online) - 2349-8846

Search

Advanced Search

Freedom of ExpressionSubscribe to Freedom of Expression

Safeguarding Fundamental Rights

In recent times, the right to speech, expression and the right to protest have been constantly undermined. An attack on these rights runs contrary to the spirit of civilised democracy. We need to exercise these rights within the Constitution’s conditions and the government is duty-bound to provide these conditions.

Prisoners’ Right to Write: Why SC Rulings Should be Taken Seriously by Prison Authorities

Vol. 54, Issue No. 30, 27 Jul, 2019
This article discusses the legal jurisprudence and policies affecting a prisoner’s right to express and write, also highlighting how such a right in practice is being infringed as a casual practice of prison administration. The article stresses why writing should be a duly recognised right of the prisoner. Further, the article shows how the writings of prisoners have contributed to reforms in prison conditions in India.

Censorship through the Ages

The Writer, the Reader and the State: Literary Censorship in India by Mini Chandran, New Delhi, California, London and Singapore: Sage Publications, 2017; pp xxxv + 191, `695.

 

Concentration of Media Ownership and the Imagination of Free Speech

How can one make sense of the increasing concentration of media ownership on the one hand and the idea of freedom of speech on the other? Is there an inherent conflict between laws that set out to protect the freedom of speech and expression under Article 19(1)(a), and the freedom to trade under Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution? The author looks at the relationship of media ownership and media infrastructure, examines how the government has used policies that regulate newspaper infrastructure, and traces some narratives of conflict between the two rights of freedom of speech and expression and the freedom to trade.

Hate Speech, Hurt Sentiment, and the (Im)Possibility of Free Speech

This paper examines the evolution of hate speech law through chronological developments. Beginning during the Constitutional Assembly debates, it examines how hate speech law has been interpreted by courts and legislative developments in the six decades post independence. Through this exercise, the author argues that the courts have interpreted the law through a pragmatic lens, often eschewing doctrine for practical reasons. If the judiciary's approach to hate speech law has been through the lens of pragmatism, what does this mean for legal reform, and for framing civil society responses to the existing legal framework around hate speech? Is it possible to ensure a more speech expansive framework while working within the limits of existing constitutional jurisprudence? Do we have to move beyond existing jurisprudence to encourage and protect fearless speech?

Ayodhya Issue and Freedom of Expression

It is dismaying that there has hardly been any reaction in the media to the order of the Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court against the publication of news reports and comments on the Ayodhya issue by the print and electronic media

Back to Top

EPW

Term & Policy

Circulation

Advertisement

Connect with us