Meghalaya Speaker Abu Taher Mondal today rejected an adjournment motion seeking to discuss the sweeping remarks made by Chief Minister Mukul Sangma accusing media houses as being mouthpiece of the militants and favouring only 'paid news'.
Several dailies and vernacular newspapers published from here also carried blank editorials protesting the statement of the chief minister last week on the floor of the House.
"I am not admitting the adjournment motion," Mondal said while pointing out the lapses on the part of Opposition United Democratic Party legislator Paul Lyngdoh's motion which was received very late and against the rule to be admitted.
"Subject to the provision of the Constitution, rules and standing orders regulating the procedure of the legislature, there shall be freedom of speech on the legislature of every state and no member state shall be liable to any proceedings in any court in respect of anything said or report given by him in legislature or any committee thereof," he said.
Stating that the adjournment motion sought to raise a question of privilege against a member of the legislature (in this case the Chief Minister), the Speaker quoted Rule 57 sub-rule 7 to prevent any such attempt.
Lyngdoh, who rejected it was a question of privilege, said, "It is a matter of public importance where I thought it would be in the fitness of things the CM who is the leader of this House clarifies the statement that he had made on the floor of this House."
He said, "Certain remarks have caused unnecessary heartburn amongst the members of the fourth estate."
Defending his statement, Mukul said, "The chief minister is being attempted to be gagged," adding that such move will "go against our own rights and privileges and it goes against the provisions of the constitutions itself."
The Chief Minister had on March 10 made a sweeping remark while responding to a motion moved by Independent legislator John Leslee Sangma on the failure of the government to promote Tourism in Garo Hills region.
"Media are the number one publicity houses of terrorist organizations," Sangma had said, referring to reports highlighted by media whenever bandhs and other activities called or carried out by the militant outfits.
He also said the government intends to come up with stringent law to correct this.
As many dailies and vernacular newspapers carried blank edits, the Meghalaya Editors and Publishers Association had openly sought the chief minister's withdrawal of the statement 'to restore' good relationships.
