Justice Sudarshan Reddy recently spoke at a discussion held at the Somajiguda Press Club. He expressed concern over the language used on social media, especially when it involves women related to public figures. Referring to the Editors Guild’s condemnation of journalist Revathi’s arrest, he argued that vulgar language should not be considered part of free speech.
The event was organized by the Telangana Movement Journalists’ Association (TUJS) and led by its founder president, MM Rahman. The discussion focused on inappropriate content spreading on social media. Justice Reddy stressed the importance of self-regulation, stating, “There is freedom of expression, but not freedom for vulgarity.” He emphasized the need to set boundaries to maintain cultural standards.
Several speakers supported Justice Reddy’s views. They agreed that media freedom is crucial but should not lead to offensive content. Some participants suggested forming a media commission, possibly led by Justice Reddy, to address false propaganda and uphold ethical journalism.
Senior journalist Pasham Yadagiri referred to Article 19, which grants citizens the right to free speech. However, he insisted that criticism should be focused on ideologies rather than personal attacks. MLC Kodandaram also warned that irresponsible use of social media could cause societal unrest and called for careful editing of public statements.
Concerns were raised about the rise of fake news and the harsh language used by some politicians. Former CPI leader Chada Venkat Reddy questioned the increasing use of “uncivilized” language in public discussions and highlighted the need to address this issue.
TSAT CEO B Venugopal Reddy spoke about the growing presence of anti-social activities online. He warned against mistaking sensational speech for journalism and accused certain groups of manipulating digital narratives, particularly against women.
The discussion included journalists and media professionals from various backgrounds, including women journalists such as Tulasi Chand and Karunakar Desai. The event concluded with a collective call for responsibility in social media discourse.
