New Delhi: An angry Supreme Court instructed today not to Air Show  “Muslims infiltrating” by a private TV channel Sudarshan TV. Calling the show an attempt to vilify Muslims community. “It appears that the object of the Tv show is to vilify the Muslim community and make it responsible for an insidious attempt to infiltrate the civil services… You cannot target one community and brand them in a particular manner, ” the supreme court said, restraining Sudarshan TV from airing what it called a “rabid” show.

Comments from Furious Judges of Supreme Court.

The power of the electronic media to target Muslim community, damage reputations or destroy someone’s image is “huge”, the Supreme Court noted. One of the judges said that the “problem with the electronic media is all about TRPs“, leading to more and more exaggeration that harms the reputation of people and “masquerades as a form of right”.

A three-judge bench called for a panel of five distinguished citizens to come up with standards for electronic media.

When the Press Council of India said rules are in place, Justice DY Chandrachud shot back: “Really? If things would have been so hunky dory then we would not have to see what we see on TV every day.”

Justice DY Chandrachud, said “The power of the electronic media is huge. It (Electronic media) can become a focal point by targeting particular community or groups,”

“The anchor grievance is that a particular group is gaining entry into the civil services,” Judge said, referring to the Sudarshan TV show. “How insidious is this? Such insidious charges put a question mark on UPSC exams, cast aspersion on UPSC. Such allegations without factual basis, how can this be allowed? Can such programmes be allowed in a free society,” said the judge.

Justice Joseph said the media “can’t fall foul of standards they prescribe”. He commented that some anchors “mute the speaker” and ask questions.

Solicitor General Tushar Mehta argued that the freedom of a journalist is supreme. “It would be disastrous for any democracy to control the press,” he said.

The government lawyer pointed out that there was a “parallel media”, other than the electronic media, where a laptop and a journalist can lead to lakhs of people viewing their content.

“We are not on social media today. We cannot choose not to regulate one thing because we cannot regulate all,” replied Justice Chandrachud.

Justice Chandrachud added: “When journalists operate, they need to work around right to fair comment. See in criminal investigations, the media often focuses only one part of the investigation.”

Justice Chandrachud said, “best within the nation” should suggest measures to debate and then arrive at standards. “Now an anchor is targeting one community. To say we are a democracy we need to have certain standards in place,”

The top court had earlier declined to stay the telecast but agreed to examine the larger issue of balancing of free speech, with other constitutional values, including the fundamental right to equality and fair treatment for every segment of citizens.

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