Jammu, February 29 (Scoop News) – The Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Mohammad Akbar Lone today said in the House that when I was unanimously elected as the Speaker of the Assembly, I very humbly at my disposal appealed among others the media that the State of Jammu and Kashmir was passing through very difficult and tough situation as such it is obligatory on the part of every body to adopt a constructive approach towards the welfare and development of the state but is has been observed that sometimes the proceedings of the House are being published in a distorted and misrepresented character. Here were are supposed to behave very responsibly and adhere strictly to the Business Rules to ensure the sanctity and sacrosanct position of this august House. The rule reads as under:-
“The publication of false or distorted, partial or injurious report of debates or proceedings of the House or its Committee or wilful misrepresentation or suppression of speeches of particular members, is an offence of the same character as the publication of libels upon the House, its Committees or members; and the persons who are responsible for such publication are liable to be punished for a breach of privilege or contempt of the House”.
At various occasions the Ministers and the Members approached me with the plea that the media does not publish news based on facts and such a tendency tarnishes their image among the minds of the general masses. Isn’t it imperative on the part of the Media to adhere strictly to the rules of the House strictly in accordance with the factual position. The media trial has no doubt its own importance in the system but it should be bases on mutual respect. In case there is any doubt in their minds while publishing any news item they can by all means approach the concerned quarters to receive their version as well or get it rectified/corrected by my Secretariat. I once again hope that they will for the welfare of the state desist from publishing the proceedings of the House in a distorted or misrepresented manner. Here I will also appeal the Members to behave responsibly to ensure the credibility of this institutions at all costs as this House is supreme for all the pillars of the system and has to be respected in the same spirit. While welcoming my friends in the Press Gallery I would like to remind them that what I said is confined to the House and the Galleries only as is provided in the rule I have quoted above. I never meant to hurt them at all and feel that some misunderstanding has cropped in their minds which I think has now no scope at all.
The Speaker said that he (Lone) has every respect and regard with the media persons.
Meanwhile journalists of Jammu and Kashmir end boycott of JK assembly today.
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