Press ki freedom democracy ka backbone hai. Journalists uncomfortable questions poochte hain, scams expose karte hain, public ko inform rakhte hain. Isi liye unki speech ko normally high protection milti hai. But fake news, paid news, deepfakes, and hate propaganda ne picture complicated kar di.
Constitutional framework bolta hai: yes, speech free hai, lekin reasonable restrictions allowed hain – sovereignty, security, public order, decency, defamation, etc. Fake news jab panic create kare, violence bhadkaaye, ya targeted hate spread kare, to State intervention justified ho sakta hai.
Lekin “fake news” ka label khud dangerous weapon ban sakta hai. Government agar har critical report ko fake bolkar punish kare, to press freedom khatam ho jayegi. Isliye courts usually content, intent, impact, aur journalistic due diligence sab dekhte hain.
Solution simple censorship nahi. Strong fact-check culture, transparent corrections, ethical journalism, and media literacy parallel zaroori hai. Constitution press ko sirf right nahi, responsibility bhi deta hai – power ke saath accountability bundled aati hai.
