Shillong, Oct 23: A heated argument broke out in the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) between Leader of Opposition Titosstarwell Chyne and Executive Member Pynkhrawboklin Kharjahrin over a “newspaper headline”.
The controversy began when Kharjahrin took objection to a newspaper report stating that an MDC had become agitated while being interrupted by the chairman on the professional tax payment issue.
Kharjahrin expressed disappointment that the report had damaged the council’s image and accused journalists of spreading misinformation and acting as mouthpieces for individuals.
“We know that the house is being presided by the chairman and the chairman is being empowered by AD Rules. However, it is unfortunate to see a heading appeared in one of the newspapers has to a great extent affected the image of the council. The headlines stated MDC got agitating while being interrupted by the chairman on the professional tax payment issue. This has affected the image of the council. The AD Rules has empowered the chairman. In this social media era, we cannot deny that media persons have an important role to play for uplifting the society. I want to urge and remind that journalists cannot spread misinformation or be a mouthpiece of anybody. You are servants of the public and if you spread false information it tantamounts to betraying the public,” the EM stated.
Chyne raised a point of order, arguing that the media’s reporting was not a subject matter to be brought up in the House and that Kharjahrin should express his resentment through other means.
“If whatever we are discussing in the house, if you as chairman chose not to correct, matter will remain the same. However, what media persons are reporting is not a subject matter to be brought in the floor of the House. You have other form to express resentment,” the LO said.
However, Kharjahrin countered that anything affecting the council’s image was relevant and that he had the right to express his concerns.
The argument escalated, with Chyne accusing Kharjahrin of attacking the press and attempting to gag them.
“If you want to raise the issue, raise it as per rule. How can you attack the press in the floor of the House? You are attacking the press. You are attacking the freedom of the press. Do you mean to say that you are trying to gag them?” he asked.
Chyne also pointed out that Kharjahrin had shown disrespect to the chairman by not sitting down during the proceedings.
Kharjahrin retorted that Chyne was trying to mislead the House.
Also Read: KHADC faces delay in receiving 2nd installment of Tied and Untied grants
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