Provisions for Press Freedom in Constitutions of South Asian Countries

(For your kind information to those who want to know legal provisions about media in SA constitutions, I have posted it.)

NEPAL

12. Right to Freedom:

(3) Every citizen shall have the following freedoms:

(a) Freedom of opinion and expression;

Provided that,

(1) nothing in sub-clause (a) shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty and integrity of Nepal, or which may jeopardize the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes, religion or communities, or on any act of defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence; or on any act which may be contrary to decent public behaviour or morality.

15. Right Regarding Publication, Broadcasting and Press: (1) No publication and broadcasting or printing of any news items, editorial, article, writings or other readings, audio-visual materials, by any means including electronic publication, broadcasting and press, shall be censored.

Provided that nothing shall be deemed to prevent the making of laws to impose reasonable restrictions on any act which may undermine the sovereignty or integrity of Nepal, or which may jeopardise the harmonious relations subsisting among the peoples of various castes, tribes or communities; or on any act of sedition, defamation, contempt of court or incitement to an offence; or on any act which may be contrary to decent public behaviour or morality.

(2) No radio, television, online or any other types of digital or electronic means, press or any other communication media shall be closed, seized or be cancelled the registration because of publishing and broadcasting or printing any material by such means of audio, audio-visual or electronic equipments.

(3) No newspaper, periodical or press shall be closed, seized or be cancelled the registration for printing and publishing any news items, articles, editorial, writings or other reading materials.

(4) No communication means including press, electronic broadcasting and telephone shall be obstructed except in accordance with law.

INDIA

Right to Freedom

19. (1) All citizens shall have the right—

(a) to freedom of speech and expression;

BHUTAN

Article 7

Fundamental Rights

1. All persons shall have the right to life, liberty and security of person and shall not be deprived of such rights except in accordance with the due process of law.

2. A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech, opinion and expression.

3. A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to information.

4. A Bhutanese citizen shall have the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion. No person shall be compelled to belong to another faith by means of coercion or inducement.

5. There shall be freedom of the press, radio and television and other forms of dissemination of information, including electronic.

BANGALADESH

39. Freedom of thought and conscience, and of speech.

(1) Freedom or thought and conscience is guaranteed.

(2) Subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interests of the security of the State, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, defamation or incitement to an offence-

(a) the right of every citizen of freedom of speech and expression; and freedom of the press, are guaranteed

MALDIVES

Freedom of expression

27. Everyone has the right to freedom of thought and the freedom to communicate opinions and expression in a manner that is not contrary to any tenet of Islam.

Freedom of the media

28. Everyone has the right to freedom of the press, and other means of communication, including the right to espouse, disseminate and publish news, information, views and ideas. No person shall be compelled to disclose the source of any information that is espoused, disseminated or published by that person.

Freedom of acquiring and imparting knowledge

29. Everyone has the freedom to acquire and impart knowledge, information and learning.

PAKISTAN

19.

Freedom of speech, etc. Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court,[15][commission of] or incitement to an offence.

AFGANISTAN

Article Thirty- Four
Ch. 2, Art. 13

Freedom of expression is inviolable.

Every Afghan has the right to express his thought through speech, writing, or illustration or other means, by observing the provisions stated in this Constitution.

Every Afghan has the right to print or publish topics without prior submission to the state authorities in accordance with the law.

Directives related to printing house, radio, television, press, and other mass media, will be regulated by the law.

SRI LANKA

Freedom of thought, conscience and religion.

10. Every person is entitled to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, including the freedom to have or to adopt a religion or belief of his choice. 

Freedom of Speech, assembly, association, movement, &c.

14. (1) Every citizen is entitled to -

(a) the freedom of speech and expression including publication;