IJU hails SC for its direction not to use sedition laws against journalists

The Indian Journalists Union (IJU) has welcomed the Supreme Court’s recent observations and decisions aimed at safeguarding press freedom in the country.
The union noted that the Supreme Court, on August 12, observed that a journalist’s article or video does not, prima facie, amount to an offence under Section 152 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) relating to acts endangering the unity and integrity of the nation. The IJU viewed this as a strong reaffirmation of constitutional protections for free speech and press freedom.
It also hailed the interim protection granted to Siddharth Varadarajan, editor of The Wire, in connection with a case linked to an article on Operation Sindoor, where the court restrained the Assam Police from taking coercive action. The IJU described the move as a vital step in preventing the arbitrary application of sedition and similar laws against journalists.
According to IJU President Geetartha Pathak, the ruling serves as a “beacon of hope” for media professionals who face threats and legal intimidation for their work. He said the court’s clarification that journalistic activities do not inherently attract sedition charges strengthens India’s democratic fabric and urged authorities to respect this legal precedent.
IJU Secretary General Sabina Inderjit remarked that the decision sends a powerful global message about India’s judiciary standing firm on protecting press freedom. She stressed that journalists play a crucial role in holding those in power accountable and should be able to perform their duties without fear of retribution.