Author: Pratishtha Malhotra, Student at Amity Law School, Noida
ABSTRACT
Censorship has long affected free speech throughout history but in today’s world, especially in the last decade or so, our right pertaining to “Freedom of speech and expression” has been attacked. This privilege to put out one’s viewpoint and thoughts without censorship, restraint or some kind lawful punishment is known as Freedom of Speech. Art. 19(1) (a) of the Constitution of India gives us this freedom. It is one of the six fundamental rights given to the citizens of India under Part III of the constitution. However, it also relates to the suppression of speech, public communication or other information, on the idea that such material is taken into account objectionable, harmful, sensitive, or inconvenient. Censorship exists in all spheres of life ranging from politics, cinema, media and press to even art and education. Freedom of speech allows people to criticize the government and raise their concerns, which is why it is such a vital part of a functioning and vibrant democracy. It’s important to assert that right in a democratic society to ensure its effective functioning. Curbing it would lead to an authoritarian form of government and result in the end of true democracy.There exists a contradiction in today’s society where we have more platforms and mediums to express ourselves and yet at the same time our censorship laws have become more severe and scrupulous. While this right to free speech is given to us in Indian democracy, figuring out how to not infringe upon it through censorship laws is proving to be a difficult conundrum. Censorship has no place in modern liberal democracy.
Keywords: Censorship, Freedom of Speech, Article 19, Constitution, Democracy.
