The freedom of speech and expression in a democracy throws open channels of free discussion of issues pertaining to public interest. The freedom of speech and expression plays a paramount role in the formation of public opinion relating to matters of social, political and economic importance. The Supreme Court of India, along with equality clause and the guarantee of life and liberty, has very broadly construed the Freedom of speech and expression, right from the 1950s. It has been variously described as a “basic human right”, “a natural right”. The freedom of speech and expression ensures Liberty to one and all to propagate his or her views without the fear of inviting punishment albeit with certain restrictions. It also includes the right publish the views of other people,7 otherwise this freedom would not include the freedom of the press.
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5. Chintamani Rao v. State of Madhya Pradesh, AIR 1951 SC 118.
6. M. P. Jain, Indian Constitutional Law, Lexis Nexis Butterworths Wadhwa, 6th edn., 2012, p. 1078.
7 .Srinivas v. State of Madras, AIR 1931 Mad 70.

Freedom of expression fundamentally serves four broad special purposes. They are:
(i) It helps an individual to attain self-fulfilment and self-satisfaction;
(ii) It assists in the revealing and discovery of truth;
(iii) It enhances and strengthens the capacity of an individual to participate in decision making process; and (iv)It puts in place a mechanism by which it would make it