HC extends interim hold on order barring telecast of MediaOne

Kochi: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday extended till February 7 its interim order putting on hold the implementation of the Centre’s bar on Malayalam news channel Media- One’s telecast.

While extending the interim order, the high court also called for the MHA files in relation to the denial of security clearance to the news channel.

The files were called for by Justice N Nagaresh after the central government told the court that MHA denied security clearance to Media- One over national security concerns based on intelligence inputs.

The channel, on the other hand, contended that MHA clearance was only required at the time for fresh permission/ license and not at the time of renewal. Therefore, the procedure adopted by the Centre for barring telecast of the channel was illegal, Madhyamam Broadcasting Ltd - which operates MediaOne - told the court.

During the hearing, when the court asked what were the reasons for the denial of security clearance by MHA, the Centre said that it was not bound to disclose the same to the media group when national security concerns were there. (PTI)