New Delhi, June 2 (TIWN) The Central government has told the Supreme Court that refusal of security clearance to Malayalam news channel Media One was based on intelligence inputs and in view of matters concerning national security, it is not bound to disclose the reasons.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in an affidavit, said: “It is submitted that in cases like the present wherein the matter concerning national security is involved, the petitioner company cannot insist upon strict compliance with principles of natural justice and the respondent is not bound to disclose the reasons for denial of security clearance to the petitioner company.”

The government made it clear that the renewal of permission of a TV channel is not a matter of right of a company, but is granted upon fulfilment of certain eligibility conditions as envisaged in the policy guidelines.