Broadcast Hindi ads during AIR's English news not illegal: HC

Madras High Court has ruled out that there is nothing illegal in All India Radio (AIR) broadcasting paid commercials in Hindi during its English news bulletins. The High Court quashed and dismissed a public interest petition at the admission stage itself. In his PIL, advocate R Muthukrishnan submitted that Hindi commercials during English news bulletin were illegal and unconstitutional. Further the petition claimed that it violated the fundamental right to equality, and showed little regard for the language of the radio programme and language concerned. According to the PIL, the paid commercials were being broadcast only in the interest of and for the benefit of its sponsors and not for the common good of people. 

The judges dismissed the PIL stating "These programmes are being broadcast to promote public interest in the field of education, spread of literacy, agriculture, rural development, environment, health and family welfare, etc. The petitioner is not justified in contending that the paid commercials in Hindi being broadcast by the AIR are unauthorized."

Source: http://cablequest.org/news/legal-news/item/1900-broadcast-hindi-ads-during-air-s-english-news-not-illegal-hc.html