Scribes go all out against Information Bill

Goan scribes propose to step up the ongoing war against the state government's Right to Information Bill which, they claim, cramps the freedom of the press severely.

Thus, the media, besides increasing pressure on the authorities, plan to take the matter up at the national level now -- the Press Council of India has already been brought in, and the scribes will seek the help of other national organisations shortly.

The Bill, passed by the Congress government on July 31 and sent to the governor for consent, has been received well except for one clause -- 9 (2). It even prompted the scribes to walk out of the assembly. Since then, they have been on the warpath staging dharnas, morchas and public meetings, demanding it be deleted. Several non governmental organisations and freedom fighters too have joined the cause.

Clause 9 (2) of the Bill states: "Where a person obtains information under this act for malafide purposes, or publishes information which he has reason to believe to be false, shall be punishable with fine which shall not be less than Rs 100 and not more than Rs 500."

"The words have been framed so that 'malafide' can be interpreted in any manner by those in power. In any case, why should the person who obtains the information be punished if it is the government which is supplying false information?" asks Goa Union of Journalists president Prakash Kamat.

The agitating journalists have also brought up the fact that the offence is 'cognisable'. "This would give the ruling politicians -- from panchayat to the state administrators -- a free hand to use the police to harass the press if it goes against the government."

"It reminds us of the Bihar Press Bill and the Tamil Nadu Act which had to be withdrawn following national outcry. You cannot take this attempt by the Goan government lightly -- similar legislation may follow from the Centre too," cautions Goa Editors Guild secretary Ashwin Tombat.

The Maharashtrawadi Gomantak Party (to which Union Law Minister Ramakant Khalap belongs) has supported the journalists' demand that an ordinance be passed to delete the objectionable clause. (Khalap, in fact, was the first politician to speak against the clause.)

The Bharatiya Janata Party and the United Goans Democratic Party, led by south Goa MP Churchill Alemao, have also spoken out against the clause. Besides journalists, it will affect the general public and even legislators who voice out irregularities in the administration, they said.

The state Congress, meanwhile, is still divided on the issue. While Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane maintains that the clause would be reviewed only in the winter session, many others are echoing the journalists' demand.

EARLIER REPORTS:

Information Bill has 'draconian and unethical' clauses: Goa scribes
Right to Information Bill introduced in Goa assembly