Kerala HC division bench upholds Media One ban

A division bench of the Kerala High Court has upheld the ban on Malayalam news channel Media One TV. The court also dismissed the appeals filed by the channel management and journalists challenging the single-bench order.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice S Manikumar and Justice Shaji P Chali maintained that when some issues with regard to the security of the State are concerned, the government can refuse to renew the permission granted.

The division bench maintained that some aspects affecting the security of the State based on the report of the IB and other investigating agencies were found in the files produced before the court.

The division bench said: “Certain aspects relating to the security of the State are mentioned to the effect that Madhyamam Broadcasting Limited has some linkages with certain undesirable forces, which is stated to be a security threat.’’

Media One TV was banned by the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs declined to give clearance to the channel due to “security reasons”.