Is denial to interview condemned prisoners against freedom of speech and expression?

Everyone who is a citizen of India gets freedom of speech and expression subject to reasonable restrictions. But if it is not falling within reasonable restrictions then you can’t deny the right of freedom of speech and expression.

In M. Hasan v. Government of A. P (AIR 1998 AP 35(FB))

In this case, the Jail authority denied interviews of a prisoner to journalists and videographers. However, the jail manual permits the prisoner to be interviewed by others.

The jail authority stated reason for denial of interview –

They stated that the interview will give opportunity to the public to campaign for reducing their sentence.

They also stated that it may lower the position of the court.

They further added that they didn’t express desire for an interview.

They also added that it can’t be allowed for safety and security reasons.

Held – The court in the aforementioned case held that denial to interview condemned prisoners by jail authority to journalists and videographers amounts to deprivation of citizen’s freedom of speech and expression guaranteed under article 19 (1) (a) of Constitution of India.