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Punjab Assembly Passes Defamation Bill Amid Opposition Protests and Journalist Walkout
The Punjab Assembly's passage of the Defamation Bill, amid opposition protests and a journalist walkout, sparks controversy over concerns of media freedom.
ND
by News Desk
2024-05-21
Punjab Assembly Passes Defamation Bill Amid Opposition Protests and Journalist Walkout

The Punjab Assembly ignited controversy today as it passed the Defamation Bill, 2024, rejecting all amendments proposed by the opposition amidst protests by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council and journalists covering the parliamentary proceedings.

 

The bill, vetted by Special Committee-1 and tabled by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, proposes a special tribunal to penalize those involved in drafting or disseminating "fake news." Despite opposition calls for further consultation and delays, the bill was passed through a voice vote, prompting protests and a walkout by journalists from the press gallery.

 

Members of the Sunni Ittehad Council (SIC) tore apart copies of the bill in protest, emphasizing concerns about media freedom and the potential for the bill to curb free speech. Opposition lawmakers raised objections to the expedited process, highlighting the absence of key stakeholders' input and the bill's rushed adoption.

 

The Defamation Bill stipulates the establishment of a special tribunal to adjudicate cases related to fake news, with penalties of up to Rs3 million and legal assistance provided to women and transgender individuals involved in defamation cases. However, critics argue that the bill poses a threat to freedom of expression and could be used to suppress dissenting voices.

 

The protests by journalists outside the assembly building underscore the deepening divide over the bill's implications for media freedom in Punjab. Lahore Press Club president Arshad Ansari condemned the government's refusal to delay approval for further consensus-building and warned of impending protests and sit-ins in response to the perceived threat to press freedom.

 

As tensions escalate, a joint action committee comprising representatives from print and electronic media bodies is expected to convene to chart a course of action in the coming days.
Tagged:

PakistanPolitics

PunjabAssembly

MediaFreedom

DefamationBill
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