Attempt to muzzle the media, says editor of Kannada paper
CONTROVERSY K’taka assembly holds 2 journalists guilty of breach of privilege BENGALURU:
A day after the Karnataka assembly rejected a plea by two editors of Kannada language tabloids to reconsider jail sentences awarded to them for breach of privilege, one of the journalists on Wednesday termed the decision an attempt to crush “journalistic independence.”
The assembly had passed a resolution on June 21 holding Ravi Belagere, editor of ‘Hai Bangalore’, and Anil Raju, editor of ‘Yelahanka Voice’, guilty of breach of privilege and awarded them one-year jail terms and imposed a penalty of ₹10,000 each.
The editors had challenged the resolution in the high court but it had asked them to find an amicable solution to the controversy. Subsequently, they had moved the speaker, seeking revision of the resolution.
The revision pleas were rejected by the house on Tuesday after a discussion was initiated by speaker KB Koliwad, the complainant against Belagere.
Taking part in the discussion, BJP legislator SR Vishwanath, who had complained against Raju for allegedly writing defamatory articles against him, said the plea had to be rejected outright. “They should have been punished by now…. Their punishment should be increased,” he said.
MLAs cutting across party lines such as SR Mahesh (JDS), Ashok Pattan, GS Srinivas, Vijayananad Kashappanavar and Lobo, (all Congress) and BR Patil (Others) supported Vishwanath’s demand.
However, BJP’s Suresh Kumar cautioned that the decision taken by the House should not become a “laughing stock”.
“There are some opinions. Whether it comes under the ambit of privilege, we don’t know. We should act cautiously, because this may go to the court tomorrow.”
YSV Datta (JDS) also spoke in support of Suresh Kumar and reiterated the need to be cautious.
Speaking to HT, Belagere said the assembly resolution was an “attempt to crush journalistic freedom”. “I do not know what grudge he [Koliwad] has against me,” Belagere added.
Belagere, who was accused by Koliwad of publishing defamatory articles against him in September 2014, further questioned how Koliwad, being a complainant, could adjudicate on the issue
“There were other forums for him to challenge it (the articles). He could have filed a defamation case in the court,” he added.
Belagere said an independent body should look into the case, adding he would challenge the verdict in court as soon as he received a copy of the order.
Raju could not be reached despite repeated attempts to contact him over phone calls and text messages.
The Editors’ Guild of India had termed the sentence a “gross misuse” of power, which “violates” the fundamental right of freedom of speech.