Punjab\u2019s Minister for Information announces postponing legislation\u2019s approval till Sunday, says govt is open to hold talks with journalists
\nLahore
\nThe Punjab government Wednesday reassured that its proposed defamation law will not have adverse effects on freedom of speech.
\n\u201cProfessional journalists will not be bothered by this act,\u201d Punjab\u2019s Minister for Information Azma Bokhari said while addressing a press conference in Lahore.
\n\u201cOnly those journalists who fabricate news while sitting in their homes will have an issue [with this legislation],\u201d the minister added.
\nHer remarks come after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz\u2019s government tabled the new anti-defamatory legislation in the Punjab Assembly on Tuesday \u2014 a move which has faced some resistance from various sections of the society including journalists.
\nAs per The News, President Lahore Press Club Arshad Ansari is among such voices and has termed the move as the government\u2019s attempt to stifle dissenting voices which amounts to a \u201cdirect assault on the pillars of democracy.\u201d
\n\u201cThe LPC, in collaboration with fellow journalist organisations, will devise a robust strategy to combat this draconian law […] we urge the Punjab government to reconsider its stance and uphold the values of democracy and freedom of the press,\u201d Ansari added.
\nElaborating on the details of the proposed legislation, the information minister revealed that notices will be issued to those who speak without backing their statements with relevant proof.
\nThe accused will be asked to choose three dates for appearing before the court within 21 days and the cases will be concluded in 180 days, she said, adding that the legislation will apply on social media platforms as well.
\n\u201cIf the charge of defamation is proved, Rs3 million will have to be paid [by the guilty] in damages,\u201d Bokhari said adding that if someone believes the defamation to be more than the said amount then he will have to prove it.
\nShe also underscored that the accused will be allowed to defend himself if he wishes to do so.
\nMeanwhile, a judge of the high court will be given the status of a tribunal and the party, affected by the alleged defamation, will be able to file a case via the tribunal, the minister said.
\nThe tribunal\u2019s judge will only have to hear two cases per day, she added.
\nHowever, Bokhari highlighted that, as per the proposed law, the case registered under it will be a civil one and will neither have any police role nor it will provision for any arrest and incarceration.
\nResponding to the concerns raised by journalists and other sections of the society, the information minister said that the government has decided not to proceed with approval of the said legislation on CM Maryam Nawaz\u2019s orders.
\nShe said that journalist organisations \u2014 having reservations about the law, can communicate their objections to the government till Sunday.
\n\u201cThe CM says that we are ready to hold talks with all journalist organisations,\u201d Bokhari said, adding that anyone having an objection to any specific provision of the defamation law can submit it in writing by the end of this week.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Punjab\u2019s Minister for Information announces postponing legislation\u2019s approval till Sunday, says govt is open to hold talks with journalists Lahore The Punjab government Wednesday reassured that its proposed defamation law will not have adverse effects on freedom of speech. \u201cProfessional journalists will not be bothered by this act,\u201d Punjab\u2019s Minister for Information Azma Bokhari said […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":407217,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-407192","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-national"},"yoast_head":"\n