India’s News Broadcasters Federation (NBF) welcomed the move of the Supreme Court of India showing concern on the colonial-era sedition laws of Indian Penal Code 1860, which are often “misused by authorities to gag and muzzle the media” against broadcasting any criticism of authorities in power in public interest.

In an official statement, NBF stated it believes “fair and honest criticism forms the backbone of democracy” and urged the Indian Government to immediately set-up and independent neutral national agency to investigate into any allegations of professional misconduct by journalists, executives, and owners of news media company, in order to prevent selective harassment by the State administrations and to ensure the freedom of the media.

NBF also reiterated support to TV channel TV5, one of the member-companies of the news media trade body, for having taken up this issue of freedom of speech and expression.

Putting on hold yesterday coercive action against two Telugu channels — TV5 news and ABN Andhra Jyoti — in India’s southern State of Andhra Pradesh,  the Supreme Court took a strong view on attempts to muzzle the Fourth Estate and on Monday called for defining “the limits of sedition”.

The Andhra Pradesh police had lodged a first information report (FIR) against the two TV channels alleging sedition. The TV channels had reportedly aired views of a politician who was in opposition to the ruling party in the State. Subsequently, the two channels had moved the courts seeking relief, which came Monday from the Supreme Court.

“We are of the view that the ambit and parameters of the provisions of Sections 124A, 153A and 505 of the Indian Penal Code 1860 would require interpretation, particularly in the context of the right of the electronic and print media to communicate news, information and the rights, even those that may be critical of the prevailing regime in any part of the nation,” a three-judge bench of the Supreme Court, consisting of Justices D.Y. Chandrachud, L. Nageswara Rao and S. Ravindra Bhat, said in their order on Monday.

The bench was hearing petitioners TV5 and ABN, who had challenged the FIR charges against broadcasting news and views critical of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh and its Chief Minister. The order also restrained the State Government of Andhra Pradesh from taking any coercive actions against the two news channels, till the next date of listing.

NBF claims to be India’s largest industry association of TV news channels. The organisation founded and funded by broadcasters stands for editorial freedom and business interests of news broadcasters. India boasts of several such organisations, including News Broadcasters’ Association or NBA, which was formed before NBF came into existence.

While Rajat Sharma of India TV heads NBA as its president, Arnab Goswami of Republic TV group heads NBF.