Vice President Venkaiah Naidu has said that freedom of speech and expression cannot be absolute but it should also not be trampled upon. <br/><br/>Mr. Naidu, in his keynote address yesterday at the Ramnath Goenka Awards for Excellence in Journalism in New Delhi, this issue should be addressed by strengthening media's independence, ensuring transparent flow of information, making legal framework more coherent and ensuring safety of journalists. <br/><br/>Speaking on the scope and nature of freedom of speech and expression, the Vice President, however, said that there has to be regulation when it comes to certain aspects like sovereignty of the nation but it should not amount to strangulation of rights. He said that the Constitution has imposed certain restrictions on freedom of speech and expression in the interest of sovereignty and integrity of India, public order, decency and morality.<br/><br/>Mr. Naidu cautioned that sensationalism and yellow journalism was the "dark side" of journalism which needs to be addressed. He also rued that too much time was being spent by a section of media on trivial issues and advocated transparency and accountability.