Karnataka assembly sets up body to control media, draws criticism

KANNADA ACTIVIST, WHO TOOK UP THE ISSUE

WITH THE SPEAKER, SAID THE MOVE WAS UNPRECEDENTED

The Karnataka assembly has drawn flak from its members for setting up a joint house committee to study and rein in “irresponsible” media.

Kannada activist Vatal Nagaraj took up the issue, of constituting the committee on Tuesday, with assembly speaker KB Koliwad on Thursday.

When Nagaraj questioned Koliwad’s authority to appoint such a committee, Koliwad replied: “I am supreme. Nobody can question my decision.”

The activist told HT the move was unprecedented in the 50 years, and questioned the propriety of the decision. “There are procedures laid down for setting up committees. It cannot be set up on the basis of discussions by five or six members,” he said.

Nagaraj also questioned the powers the assembly had to regulate the media. “What business does the House have to do this?”

Meanwhile, Tara Anuradha, National Award winning actor and member of the leglislative council, who belongs to the Bharatiya Janata Party, said when she signed the petition on the issue, she did not know it would end up in this manner.

“I am myself a media professional and would never be party to a call to regulate it,” Tara said. “I signed the petition because I was worried about the unregulated nature of social media, not other forms of media.”

Tara said she had also raised objections over the portrayal of children in television shows.

The Press Club of Bengaluru has written a letter to the Speaker about the issue.