SC Asks Centre Over Having Independent Regulator For News Channels

The Supreme Court hearing a petition on January 25 asked the Centre over idea of creating an independent media regulatory body or tribunal. The petition cited increase in media trials, hate speech and paid news that are being aired using airwaves, which are public property, for the demand of such regulatory body. It also read that amid "self-regulation" and "sham and farcical" bodies like NBA, news channels dilute the "fourth pillar" privilege.