Daily Passage Test for CLAT - May 14 MCQs & solutions Free

Article 19(1)(a) guarantees freedom of speech, but Article 19(2) allows the State to impose reasonable restrictions in specific situations such as public order, morality, or national security. This ensures that individual expression is balanced with collective interests.

The Court held that press freedom is an essential facet of free speech and that any attempt to impose censorship must satisfy strict judicial scrutiny. This safeguards democratic debate and ensures transparency of governance.

Article 19(2) lists multiple grounds on which expression may be restricted, including sovereignty, integrity, public order, decency, morality, and international relations. These restrictions are meant to maintain societal balance without curtailing democratic freedoms unnecessarily.

While international treaties like ICCPR are not directly enforceable in India, courts often refer to them for guidance. They serve as a persuasive tool to interpret domestic provisions in a manner consistent with global human rights standards.

Regulation of online platforms requires careful balancing. Courts have emphasized that measures against misinformation and hate speech should respect constitutional freedoms and proportionality. This ensures that regulation does not evolve into undue censorship or arbitrary restriction.