Laws affecting the media

Restrictions on Freedom of
Expression on grounds of Official
Secrecy
 Two interests to be balanced
Need for openness/ Need for administrative
transparency in govt. efficiency

Culture of secrecy in Indian Government

 Official Secrets Act 1923
Makes it an offence to communicate any information that
has been entrusted in confidence by a government official to
anyone who is not authorised to receive it.
The Act also makes it an offence to receive such information
where the recipient knows, or has reason to believe, that it is
communicated in breach of the Act.
The Government has wide powers to classify information for
the purposes of the Act.
Budget Case (1961)
Sarah Tisdall Case (1984)
Spycatcher Case (1989)
 Freedom of Information legislation
Right to Information Act
Access to official information on demand subject to
conditions
Reform of the Official Secrets Act

Atomic Energy Act 1962

Makes it an offence to disclose certain kinds of information
relating to atomic energy, e.g. location or design of nuclear
installations or the research being carried out on nuclear
materials.