The Madras High Court today closed a PIL which sought a direction to the union and state governments to regulate and prohibit the transmission and re-transmission of content by cable television networks of various channels in the country, saying it is not for the court to issue any specific directions to the media.
The First Bench, comprising Chief Justice Sanjay Kishan Kaul and Justice M.M. Sundresh, before which the PIL filed by one G. Alex Benzigar and three others came up, in its order said "in our view, there is no doubt that the contents of TV channels at times raise the issue of its undesirability. However, this is the information age and it is not possible to stop technology development. "
"There is, thus, an explosion of information and the possible solution lies only in monitoring (as the government is stated to be doing) or by way of switching off the channel when it appears to be offensive."
"As to what is offensive and obscene is again a very subjective aspect and thus, whether it is elders or young children, they have to be advised to exercise discretion according to their thoughts and taste. Once again, all these are matters pertaining to social issues and whether to have a legislation or not or what form of regulations is required, is best left open to government and elected members of Parliament."
"It is not possible for us to issue any specific directions in view of the aforesaid and thus, we close the writ petition," the bench said.
The PIL sought a direction to government and Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to regulate and prohibit transmission or retransmission of cable TV networks of various channels, alleged to be telecasting indecent, vulgar and obscene programmes thereby inducing, glorifying violence, crimes and obscenity in particular on women and children.
