Hate speech poisons, role of anchor is critical: SC

NEW DELHI:THE Supreme Court (SC) on Wednesday strongly criticised hate speech through visual media, including the role of TV anchors, as it emphasised that it poisons the fabric of our society and questioned the government for being a mute spectator, instead of playing lead role in curbing such speeches.

A bench of Justices KM Joseph and Hrishikesh Roy said that the role of the anchor during a TV debate is very important, as it pulled up TV channels over hate speech, and pointed out that it is the anchor’s duty to see that hate speech is not used during the broadcast of a show.

“Where is our nation headed? Hate speech poisons very fabric... cannot permit it,” Justice

Joseph said.

The bench also pulled the Centre’s counsel on the issue of hate speech.

“Why is the government standing mute... why is all this happening? People will come and go and the nation will have to endure,” he added.

The bench suggested there should be a system in place and there should be some methodology to conduct the show on TV, and the anchor should not run down people.

“You run down a person. Just see what that person feels... you ridicule someone on a daily basis, it is like killing someone slowly,” said Justice Joseph.

He further added that these speeches on mainstream media or social media are unregulated and the role of anchor is critical, it’s their duty to see that hate speech doesn’t continue.

The bench told the Centre’s counsel that the government should not treat the issue of hate speech as a trivial mater and take lead on developing mechanisms to curb it.

The bench also questioned Utarakhand government counsel: “What action did you take, when Dharam Sansad was (happening)... did you try to prevent it?,” while emphasizing that no religion preaches violence. Thecounselreplied,“wetookpreventiveaction...” Additional Solicitor General K.M. Nataraj, representing the Centre, informed the bench that 14 state governments have responded on action taken against hate speech.

The bench said freedom of press is important but we should know where to draw a line.

It further added that hate speech is layered and it is like killing someone, and TV channels get people hooked to them.

It further added that sense of fraternity cannot happen in atmosphere of hate.

It said the government should not take an adversarial stand but assist the court and scheduled the mater for further hearing in November.

It also asked the Centre to clarify if it intends to act on Law Commission recommendations on curbing hate speech.