Press freedom can’t be above security: Arun Jaitley

The government has maintained that while the court will take a decision on the case of some sensitive documents related to the Rafale fighter jet deal being “stolen”, the freedom of press cannot be above national security.

Government sources referred to Article 19(2) of the Constitution, which says the freedom of speech and expression given to the people and the press will not prevent the state from imposing reasonable restrictions on the exercise of this right in the interest of national security. Finance minister Arun Jaitley said the framers of the Constitution were clear that the freedom of the press comes with reasonable restrictions.

“What goes on in the court let's leave it for the court to decide. It is obvious that defence notings of sensitive interests to this country have been leaked out," he said. He was responding to a question from the press on the government stand in the Supreme Court that the material published in The Hindu newspaper on Wednesday and earlier on February 8 about the Rs 59,000-crore Rafale fighter jet deal was based on documents "stolen" from the defence ministry.