Point of privilege

Alleged misreporting of the proceedings of the House.

Facts of the case and ruling by the Chair

On the 1st June, 1972 Shri Bhupesh Gupta, a member sought to raise¹ a question of privilege the Editor, Printer and Publisher of the Statesman, New Delhi, for publishing in its issue dated the 31st May, 1972, a distorted version of his speech made in the House. He contended that the impugned news report published under the heading 'Congress and C.P.I. exploiting Orissa Drought' imputed that he (Shri Bhupesh Gupta) had suggested to the Government that Orissa Government be toppled, which was not correct. He requested the Chair to warn the press to be more careful while reporting the proceedings of the House.

2. The Deputy Chairman (Shri Gaude Murahari), who was then in Chair, then observed as follows:-

"I have gone through the report of the Statesman, and I think newspaper reporting should be more careful, not to put anything in the mouth of members. To make fair comments about members' speeches is, of course, within the jurisdiction of the press. They can comment in any manner they like but to make and to say that a particular member has said this when he has not said it, is wrong. I think the paper should be more careful in this respect."

The matter was then closed.
 
 
 
 

1. R.S. Deb., dt. 1.6.1972