Press Club asks CM to rethink on sentencing journalists

Press Club of Bengaluru on Saturday urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to reconsider the decision to sentence two journalists to one-year imprisonment for breach of privilege.

In a memorandum submitted to the Chief Minister, the Press Club said: “We are not questioning the decision of the Speaker (Legislative Assembly) in this regard. But we are only urging you to protect journalists by reconsidering the decision.”

“We have high respect for the legislature. We respect the Speaker’s decision in this regard. But this development may spoil the cordial relationship between the legislature and journalists,” the Press Club stated.

The Legislative Assembly recently adopted recommendations made by the privileges committee of the House, sentencing Ravi Belagere of “Hai Bangalore” and Anil Raj of “Yelahanka Voice” to one-year imprisonment with a fine of Rs 10,000 for breach of privilege.