INDIA'S MEDIA FREEDOM: A LEGAL PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

One of the fundamental tenets of a democracy is journalism. Often called the "Fourth Estate," journalism educates the public about its societal and democratic responsibilities. Journalists serve as society's watchdogs. The media is not, however, totally free to act in any way that they see fit. The media is governed by the same laws that govern the behavior of the State, its institutions, and its citizens. The legal system binds journalists just like it does any other profession. The Indian Constitution serves as the foundation for all national media regulations. The freedom of speech and expression is one of the most significant rights that citizens, including the media, are given by the Constitution. The goal of this research was to identify journalists' freedom of speech and expression and to comprehend how the law has addressed this freedom in various instances and rulings. The document examines the Indian constitution's provision of freedom of speech and expression and how Indian courts have interpreted it for the media through various rulings and case laws. It is predicated on an examination and evaluation of eleven court cases that the Indian courts have rendered.