Government wants to gag the 'Sach'

The new reality show Sach Ka Saamna that hit the Indian airwaves about a week ago is causing a lot of stir in the country. While the country's audience seems to be enjoying the candid confessions of the contestants, the media made news out of it.



The issue which was raised in Rajya Sabha on Wednesday, Jul 22 by Samajwadi Party leader gained support from the BJP and other senior parliamentarians. The discussion ended with the Information and Broadcasting Ministry sending off a show cause notice to the broadcaster, STAR TV.

This move awakens a truth that we have to face now- government censorship. Censorship by definition means deletion or blocking of information of any communicative material that is objectionable, obscene or sensitive. And when it comes to Political or Government censorship is when governments hold back information in order to control the citizens and avoid rebellion.

Although in this case the fall out may not seem as serious as avoiding rebellion, it is nevertheless worrisome.

Great thinkers in the past have criticised such censorship and many have been victims to the same. From the book burning to blocking blogs in China all are relevant examples.

Indian leaders and thinkers too have always upheld the freedom of expression that is a sweet fruit borne by a democratic nation. On back of the same political set up, the media (news to entertainment) based its content on the fact that the masses are capable of own thought, thus capable of using their own discretion based on ones own value systems and scales.

So why is the government now assuming that the Indian audiences need help with what they should see on their Television sets? Does this mean that we are incapable of handling the Freedom of Expression granted to us by the constitution?