Summary:
Kochi, Mar 2 (PTI) The Kerala High Court on Wednesday upheld the Centre"s decision to deny security clearance to Malayalam news channel Media One saying it was of the view there were certain aspects, in the intelligence reports about the channel, which affect public order or national security.
A bench of Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chaly said the single judge was "right" in declining to interfere with the Centre"s January 31 decision to ban telecast of Media One.
The court said it went through the files, placed before it by the Ministry of Home Affairs, and found that in relation to the application for uplinking and downlinking permissions for "Media One Life" and "Media One Global", "certain aspects relating to the security of the state are mentioned to the effect that Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd has some linkages with certain undesirable forces, which is stated to be a security threat".
Likewise, in relation to the application for the renewal of the uplinking and downlinking of Media One news channel also the court found that "there are certain serious adverse reports by the Intelligence Bureau against Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd and its Managing Director".
"It is true that the nature, impact, gravity and depth of the issue is not discernible from the files.
But, at the same time, there are clear and significant indications impacting the public order and security of the state.