KARACHI: The federal government’s proposed “Digital Media Authority” and the Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 have alarmed media stakeholders, who claim that the bill is harsh in its current form.
A joint statement was released on Thursday by the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND).
According to the statement, media organizations were not opposed to toughening up defamation laws or regulating digital media following such actions, but the law as it stands “threatens the fundamental right to freedom of expression.”
In order to resolve the shortcomings of the proposed bill, the JAC emphasized the necessity of thorough and deliberate consultation with all relevant parties. It further stated that any legislation in this area must carefully balance safeguarding individual rights with preserving the values of freedom of expression.
In order to fully assess the ramifications of the proposed legislation on the right to free speech, the JAC statement required that the federal and Punjabi governments have in-depth consultations with media organizations and other relevant parties. The bill’s passage in the assembly should be deferred until after these discussions.
“The JAC is still dedicated to working cooperatively with the government to guarantee that any digital media code or defamation laws that are implemented are just, fair, and consistent with democratic values,” the statement stated.
AEMEND disapproved of the proposed defamation laws in a statement, arguing that hastily passing any legislation without first addressing the relevant parties would be equivalent to restricting the right to free speech.
