Gulnar Bharati, Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi
ABSTRACT
This paper examines the erosion of press freedom and free speech in India, analyzing the legal, historical, and contemporary factors shaping the current climate. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right under Article 19 of the Indian Constitution. Yet, it faces increasing threats due to laws like the sedition provision under the Indian Penal Code, which has been recently repealed and reintroduced through the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita Bill. High- profile cases, such as Kanhaiya Kumar's sedition charges and the government's censorship of social media, underscore these challenges. Drawing on global examples like China and Russia, the paper also explores the tension between national security and civil liberties, focusing on the importance of a free press as a democratic institution. Achievements of investigative journalism, such as the Tehelka exposés, are contrasted with the potential state efforts to curtail dissent. The paper concludes by advocating the role of vigilant media in preserving democratic integrity while also addressing necessary limits.
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