SC says need to regulate electronic media; govt bats for press freedom

There is a need to regulate the electronic media as most of the channels are running for TRPs, leading to more sensationalism, the Supreme Court said on Tuesday even as the Centre batted for journalistic freedom saying it would be disastrous for any democracy to control the press.

The apex court, making clear it is not suggesting censorship on media, said there should be some kind of self-regulation in the media.

Regulating internet is very difficult but we need to regulate the electronic media now, a bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud said.

The top court said this while hearing a plea which has raised grievance over Sudarshan TV’s Bindas Bol’ programme whose promo had claimed that the channel would show the ‘big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service’.