Freedom Of Speech And Expression - Definition - Law Dictionary Home Dictionary Definition freedom-of-speech-and-expression

Definition :

Freedom of speech and expression, includes freedom of propagation of idea which is ensured by freedom of circulation, Romesh Thappar v. State of Madras, AIR 1950 SC 124: 1950 SCR 594: 1950 Cri LJ 1514. See also People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.

Carries with it the right to publish and circulate one's ideas, opinions and views, Sakal Papers (Pvt.) Ltd. v. Union of India, AIR 1962 SC 305.

Means the right to express one's opinion by words of mouth, writing, printing, picture or in any other manner. It would thus include the freedom of communication and the right to propagate or publish opinion, S. Rangarajan v. P. Jagjivan Ram, (1989) 2 SCC 574. See also People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.

Includes right of citizens to exhibit films on Doordashan, Odyssey Communications (Pvt.) Ltd. v. Lokvidayan Sanghattana, (1988) 3 SCC 410. See also People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.

Is a natural right which a human being acquires by birth. It is, therefore, a basic human right (Art. 19 of Universal Declaration of Human Rights relied on.) Every citizen, therefore, has a right to air his or her views through the printing and/or electronic media or through any communication method, LIC of India v. Manubhai D. Shah, (1992) 3 SCC 637. See also People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.

Includes the right to know every public act, everything that is done in a public way, by their public functionaries, State of Uttar Pradesh v. Raj Narain, (1855) 43 ER 1125: 6 De GM&G 1: 24 LJ Ch 332. See also People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.

Is given the meaning to include citizens right to know the antecedents of the candidates contesting election of MP or MLA, such right could be set at naught by the legislature, requires to be rejected, Kesavanands Bharati case, (1973) 4 SCC 225. See also People's Concerned Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.

Includes right of the citizen to know about the affairs of the Government, Dinesh Trivedi, MP v. Union of India, (1997) 4 SCC 306. See also People's Union for Civil Liberties v. Union of India, (2003) 4 SCC 399.