Supreme Court Grants Bail to Journalist for Panelist’s Controversial TV Remarks

The Supreme Court has granted bail to senior journalist and Sakshi TV anchor Kommineni Srinivasa Rao, arrested after a panelist on his show allegedly made derogatory remarks about women from Amaravati region.

The Court noted Rao did not make the statement himself and questioned how an anchor could be held liable for a guest’s comments. 

The Court held that Rao’s arrest violated his fundamental rights and stressed that journalists cannot be held liable for views expressed by guests unless there is deliberate intent or endorsement.

The bench noted that freedom of the press is vital in a democracy and criticized the invocation of criminal charges without a proper legal basis.