Press Statement

NUJ-DJA demand immediate withdrawal of punishment to Karnataka journalists

27 Jun, 2017

The National Union of Journalists (India) condemned the Karnataka State Assembly’s action against two journalists in the strongest words and termed the decision as open attack on the freedom of press. In a joint statement the NUJ(I) and its Delhi unit, Delhi Journalists’ Association (DJA) demanded the state government to move a resolution in the Assembly withdrawing the sentence.It is to be noted that Karnataka Assembly on June 26 decided to punish two journalists for allegedly defamatory articles against to legislators including Speaker KB Koliwad. It is for the first time in Karnataka’s history that the Legislature passed a unanimous resolution seeking punishment to journalists—a year in jail and a fine of Rs. 10,000. Speaker KB Koliwad announced the approval to the recommendation of the Privilege Committee which recommended the punishment and fine for journalists. The Karnataka Legislature has the power to send anyone to jail for breach of privilege of lawmakers, rights and immunities by the legislature and legislators without which they cannot discharge their functions. The privileges, however, have not been codified or listed in detail and neither have the penalties. Law Minister TB Jayachandra distanced the government from the move. In 2003, the Supreme Court cancelled the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s controversial directive to jail top editors of the Chennai-headquartered ‘The Hindu’ for 15 days.

It is to be noted that Karnataka Assembly on June 26 decided to punish two journalists for allegedly defamatory articles against to legislators including Speaker KB Koliwad. It is for the first time in Karnataka’s history that the Legislature passed a unanimous resolution seeking punishment to journalists—a year in jail and a fine of Rs. 10,000. Speaker KB Koliwad announced the approval to the recommendation of the Privilege Committee which recommended the punishment and fine for journalists.

The Karnataka Legislature has the power to send anyone to jail for breach of privilege of lawmakers, rights and immunities by the legislature and legislators without which they cannot discharge their functions. The privileges, however, have not been codified or listed in detail and neither have the penalties. Law Minister TB Jayachandra distanced the government from the move. In 2003, the Supreme Court cancelled the Tamil Nadu Assembly’s controversial directive to jail top editors of the Chennai-headquartered ‘The Hindu’ for 15 days.

The NUJ(I)-DJA joint statement said if the Legislators had any complain against the journalists or the story published in any newspaper they should have approached the Press Council of India (PCI). The State Assembly should not have taken such a drastic action against the scribes, as this will set a wrong precedent in the country.

NUJ(I) President Ras Bihari said the NUJ(I) would send a Fact Finding Committee to Karnataka to know the ground realities. Demanding high level judicial inquiry into the episode DJA president Manohar Singh stressed that the report of the inquiry committee should be submitted to the Press Council of India and Chief Justice of Karnataka High Court. DJA general secretary Pramod Kumar warned of an agitation in New Delhi if the punishment and fine imposed on the journalists were not withdrawn within a week.

Written By

National Union of Journalists (India) National Union of Journalists (India)

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