India's Editors Guild condemns sentencing of 2 journalists

The Editors Guild of India, an Indian powerful body of newspaper editors, has condemned the decision of the southern state of Karnataka's assembly to sentence two journalists to jail for a year for penning "defamatory" articles about a few lawmakers and the Speaker.

"The Guild opines that the decision violates the fundamental right of freedom of speech guaranteed under the Indian Constitution and the freedom of the press. It is also a gross misuse of the powers and privileges of a state legislature," it said in a statement.

The Karnataka Assembly recently passed a resolution to sentence the two journalists, Ravi Belagere and Anil Raju, to one year in prison and imposed a fine of 10,000 Indian rupees (150 U.S. dollars) each on charges of writing "defamatory" articles about the Speaker and a few members.

Stating that it is a "gross misuse of the powers and privileges of a state legislature," the Editors Guild of India has urged the Assembly to withdraw its resolution "without delay."

"The Editors Guild of India is of the firm view that journalists must have the freedom to write critical articles against all such elected representatives of the country and hold them accountable without fear or favor," it said.

This is for the first time that such a resolution has been passed by a state Assembly in India against journalists.

(ASIA PACIFIC DAILY)