HC for amicable solution to sentencing ofeditors by assembly

The Karnataka High Court today advised the state Assembly to amicably resolve the issue of sentencing of two editors of Kannada tabloids to one year in jail for alleged defamatory articles against legislators.
Noting that he had no adjudicating powers to give a ruling on a resolution passed by the Assembly, Justice Ashok Hinchigere said he was therefore advising the Speaker tofind an amicable solution to the matter.
The judge also virtually ticked off the two editors, saying they should restrain from "hitting below the belt" by publishing 'baseless' articles.
"...Is it possible for the Speaker that he can keep in abeyance the resolution sentencing the two editors? If it is, it should be done in the interest of the system," the judge said, hearing the petitions filed by the two journalists challenging the assembly's June 21 resolution.

In a rare step, the assembly awarded thesentence besides imposing a fine of Rs 10,000 each on Ravi Belagere and Anil Raju of Kannadatabloids 'Hai Bangalore' and 'Yelahanka Voice' based on the recommendations of PrivilegesCommittee of the House.
The editors have moved the high court seeking a stay on their arrest and quashing of the resolution.

Justice Hinchigere said thejournalists have the freedom of expression, but not at thecost of hurting and humiliating anyone, in this case thelegislators.
He also said that Belagere's non-compliance of (Privileges Committee) summons amounted to "disgraceful disobedience".
"As many as 11 summons were issued to him and yet he did not turn up to depose before the privileges committee. This amounts to 'disgraceful disobedience'," he observed.

Counsel for the state government Ponanna said Raju, however, deposed before the committee and apologised, but resumed writing against MLA SR Vishwanath.
The judge said the editors should face the law and cannot abscond. They should restrain themselves from "hitting below the belt" by publishing baseless articles.
He also directed government to give a copy of the resolution to the petitioners in two weeks time.
The next hearing will be heard tomorrow.
The assembly resolution had triggered protests from media with the Editors' Guild of India terming it as a "gross misuse" of power which "violates" the fundamental right of freedom of speech and expression.

The guild had also urged the assembly to withdraw its resolution "without delay.