Lawrence Liang : Articles

Hate Speech: The fault line that divides advocates of free speech

BY Lawrence Liang| IN OPINION |24/06/2010

The legislative intention of hate speech laws seem to be on a permanent collision course with their real effects. Rather than protecting minorities from the vitriolic outbursts of the law has been consistently used by an intolerant majority whose sen

Air Waves are Public Property: Broadcasting and freedom of speech in India

BY Lawrence Liang| IN MEDIA BUSINESS |23/06/2010

A historical analysis of the development of free speech in cinema and broadcasting reveals the importance of the individual’s viewership rights,

The Constitution and the press

BY Lawrence Liang| IN MEDIA FREEDOM |03/06/2010

The first real strain on the seamless fabric of the constitution and on press freedom emerged in the context of three decisions, one by the Patna High Court and two by the Supreme Court.

How the Press carved out freedom of speech in India

BY Lawrence Liang| IN MEDIA FREEDOM |30/05/2010

While the state provided no special right to the press, the judiciary was forced to expand the scope of the Constitutional provisions,

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Media Watch Briefs

Amazon resisting voluntary censorship

The new term for self censorship is voluntary censorship, as proposed by companies like Netflix and Hotstar. ET reports that streaming video service Amazon Prime is opposing a move by its peers to adopt a voluntary censorship code in anticipation of the Indian government coming up with its own rules. Amazon is resisting because it fears that it may alienate paying subscribers.

Let the games begin

Clearly, the run to the 2019 elections is on. A journalist received a call from someone saying they were from Aajtak channel and were conducting a survey, asking whom she was going to vote for in 2019. On being told that her vote was secret, the caller assumed she wasn't going to vote for 'Modiji'. The caller, a woman, also didn't identify herself. A month or two earlier the same journalist received a call, this time from a man, asking if she was going to vote for the BSP.