Mid Term Examination, February 2016
B.A.LL.B. (HONS.)
SEMESTER X
MEDIA LAW (OPT.-II)
Max. Marks: 20 Max. Time: 1:30 Hrs.
Note: Answer any TWO questions out of three. All questions carry equal marks.
1. "Advertising however tasteless and excessive it sometimes may seem, is nonetheless dissemination of information as to who is producing and selling what product, for what reason and at what price. So long as we preserve a predominantly free enterprise economy, the allocation of our resources will be made through numerous private economic decisions. It is a matter of public interest that those decisions in the aggregate be intelligent and well informed. To this end free flow of commercial information is indispensable." Discuss with the help of relevant case laws. (Marks 10)
2. The Republic of Patronus is a parliamentary democracy. On January 17, 2016 the parliament was debating on a matter of national security. Mr J. Parker, a member of parliament had requested the Speaker that certain portions of his speech should be expunged as they contained defamatory remarks pertaining to certain officers. His request was granted by the Speaker. His speech was published with the expunged portions in the Patronus Times dated January 18, 2016. The parliament committed the editor of the Patronus Times, Mr. R. Costner for contempt of the House and punished him with imprisonment for seven days. A writ of habeas corpus was filed before the constitutional court of Patronus in view of the right of the editor, Mr. Costner to free speech and expression.
Kindly submit your opinion with the help of relevant case laws. The Constitution of Patronus is pari materia to the Constitution of India, 1950. (Marks 10)
3. Discuss briefly the various justifications for the right of free speech and expression. (Marks 10)