Media under scanner for breach of privilege

The state legislature has initiated proceedings against certain media houses in a breach of privilege motion filed by Peasants and Workers Party legislator Vivek Patil on Friday.

The state legislature has initiated proceedings against certain media houses in a breach of privilege motion filed by Peasants and Workers Party legislator Vivek Patil on Friday.

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Patil had moved a breach of privilege motion against the media in the state assembly on Friday for carrying reports on alleged horse-trading by parties in the recently concluded Legislative Council elections.

The motion has been accepted and show-cause notices sent to five vernacular newspapers and five television channels. “Case against each newspaper or channel will be decided on merit following a clarification from their side,” said an official with the state legislature.

If the clarification is not found satisfactory then representatives can be called before the breach of privileges committee to explain their stance.

Patil said some newspapers and channels had reported that legislators took money for voting in favour of certain candidates. “The reports don’t mention names...As a result, it created an assumption that all MLAs indulged in horse-trading. Our names have been maligned because of such misleading reports,” said Patil.

A specific case of breach of privilege was moved against a journalist of a vernacular newspaper for saying that Rs 1 crore was the going rate during Council polls.

During the budget session of the legislature, the Legislative Council had summoned and rapped the Jaslok Hospital CEO for being rude to the legislators.