The Cabinet meeting held on Wednesday has set aside for consideration the new bill proposed by the Left Front government to strictly regulate the media on the grounds of insulting and malicious content. The government may have justifications to bring such a law against the media. However, ironically the very same people who fiercely advocate for freedom of media and freedom of expression are now trying to bring a such crude law against the media.

The government is looking for a way to regulate the media by amending Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code. Along with this, the necessary amendment will have to be made in Cr.P.C. Any media that publishes defamatory content can be sued under the new amendment act. Such offences are punishable with imprisonment for two years or a fine or both. Criticism against the government can be either constructive or malicious. It can be said that politics survive through such give and takes. As the government plans to introduce tougher laws to deal with criticism, it must also think about the incredible and shocking changes that are happening in the world every day in the field of communication. This is a time when there is fierce competition between various media outlets to find out what is being covered up and present it to the people. Even if media in the state get regulated, there are plenty of outside media to tell people what they need to know.

There are already laws to take action against the organization or individuals who publish any defamatory news. Therefore, the move to introduce a tougher law can be seen only as a dictatorial tendency. The government's legal advisers must not have forgotten that the Supreme Court had earlier repealed Section 118D of the Police Act and Section 66A of the IT Act, which infringes on freedom of expression. They might also remember the plight when the Police Amendment Act, which was proposed to be introduced to overcome this, had to be buried. The authorities should think carefully about how practical it is to think that the mouth and eyes of all the media will be covered by bringing the Media Regulation Bill.

The draft of the new amendment law empowers the police to file a case against any media that publishes insulting and defamatory news, images etc. Even controversial posters displayed in public places can come under the law. In short, any person can be put behind bars if a policeman thinks so. In short, it is unlikely that anyone will not fall under the grip of the controversial law. Some of the ministers themselves expressed their opinion against the proposed law amendment because they are aware of this kind of danger. It is said that the cabinet will consider the bill again after a detailed study. Let the study be done in detail. It is advisable to keep the draft bill in the custody of the Law Department forever.