‘Free Speech Can’t Be Silenced’: Madras HC Rejects Plea to Ban Online Film Reviews in First 3 Days of Release

The Madras High Court dismissed a petition filed by the Tamil Film Active Producers Association (TFAPA) seeking a ban on online movie reviews within the first three days of release.

The court held that granting such relief would violate Article 19(1)(a) of the Constitution, which guarantees freedom of speech and expression.

The court also noted that regulating individual opinions from posting film reviews on social media is impractical, and criticism, even if harsh or biased, cannot be legally prohibited.

The court acknowledged the petitioner's claim of "review bombing" by rival groups but held that there was no legal basis to justify restricting online reviews.