AIR 1986 SUPREME COURT 515 ::1985 TAX. L. R. 2451 ::1985 SCC (Tax) 121 ::(1985) 4 ECC 111 ::(1985) 1 ComLJ 115 ::1985 CriLR(SC&MP) 79 ::1985 (1) SCC 641 ::1986 (159) ITR 856 ::(1985) 2 SCR 287 (SC) ::1985 2 SCR 287 ::(1985) CurLJ(CCR) 140

Supreme Court Of India

= 1985 Tax L.R. 2451

Hon'ble Judge(s): O. Chinnappa Reddy, A. P. Sen, E. S. Venkataramiah , JJJ

(A) Constitution of India , Art.19(1)(a)— Freedom of speech and expression - Includes freedom of Press - Court's duty is to uphold it and, invalidate all laws and administrative actions interfering with it. Press - Freedom of. Our Constitution does not use the expression 'freedom of press' in Art.19 but it is declared @page-SC516 by Supreme Court that it is included in Art.19(1)(a) which guarantees, freedom of speech and expression. In todays' free world freedom of press is the heart of social and political intercourse. The press has now assumed the role of the public educator making formal and non-formal education possible in a large scale particularly in the developing world, where television and other kinds of modern communication are not still available for all sections of society. The purpose of the press is to advance the public interest by publishing facts and opinions without which a democratic electorate cannot make responsible judgments. Newspapers being purveyors of news and views having a bearing on public administration very often carry material which would not be palatable to governments and other authorities. The authors of the articles which are published in newspapers have to be critical of the actions of government in order to expose its weaknesses. Such articles tend to become an irritant or eve....