JournalismPakistan.com
June 08, 2024
LAHORE—The Acting Punjab Governor Malik Muhammad Ahmed Khan (pictured) has signed the controversial defamation bill passed recently by the Punjab Assembly which has now become a law.
Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan had assured he would not sign the bill and consult all the stakeholders involved. However, Geo News reported that after Sardar Saleem went on leave, Malik Muhammad signed the bill as the acting governor Punjab.
Arshad Ansari, President of the Lahore Press Club said that they would convene a meeting of their action committee and decide on the course of protest and action.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) had earlier issued a strong appeal to Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider Khan, urging him not to sign the defamation bill passed by the Punjab Assembly recently.
IFJ Global President Dominique Pradalié had emphasized that the law poses a serious threat to freedom of speech and would likely be used to suppress dissenting voices critical of the government.
In a statement, Pradalié highlighted the potential misuse of the defamation bill, expressing concerns that it would serve as a tool to silence journalists, activists, and anyone opposing governmental actions.
"This law will be used to silence the voices against the government," she stated, warning of the dire implications for press freedom and democratic discourse in Punjab.
The Defamation Bill, which has sparked significant controversy, aims to impose stringent penalties on individuals and media organizations found guilty of defamation. Critics argue that the bill's vague language and harsh punishments could lead to self-censorship among journalists and stifle investigative reporting.
Photo credit: brecorder.com
ARY reporter alleges harassment and illegal detention by Islamabad PoliceJuly 06, 2024: ARY News reporter Jahangeer Aslam Baloch alleges harassment and illegal detention by Islamabad police. The incident raises serious...
Court drama: APP officials escape after bail denial in corruption scandalJuly 06, 2024: In a dramatic turn of events, several former officials of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) fled from court after their bail ...
Gagging social media for Muharram not the answer: DawnJuly 06, 2024: Daily Dawn criticizes the Punjab government's request to shut down social media platforms during Muharram, highlighting concerns o...
Freedom Network clarifies position on Peshawar event amidst controversyJuly 05, 2024: Freedom Network responds to recent public controversy stemming from a Peshawar event. The statement addresses allegations of haras...
Javeria Siddique blames ruling elite for husband Arshad Sharif's murder, demands justiceJuly 05, 2024: Javeria Siddique, wife of slain journalist Arshad Sharif, accuses the ruling elite of involvement in her husband's murder and dema...
Umar Cheema suggests Samaa TV episode was preplannedJuly 03, 2024: Journalist Umar Cheema retracts his criticism of a Samaa TV talk show, alleging the episode where public speaker Sahil Adeem and p...
Dawn editorial condemns PTA-ordered telecom surveillance of citizensJuly 03, 2024: Daily Dawn criticizes the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for implementing a mass surveillance system, calling it Orwel...
Children of slain journalist Khalil Jibran seek safety amid threatsJuly 03, 2024: The teenage children of slain journalist Khalil Jibran fear for their lives after an arson attack on their snooker club. They have...
July 05, 2024 The Pulitzer Center is accepting applications for the 2024-2025 cohort of AI Accountability Fellows. These fellowships support journalists with funding, mentorship, and training to produce in-depth reporting on AI systems.
July 04, 2024 Journalist and government critic Aidos Sadykov succumbed to injuries on July 2 after a shooting in Kyiv. The IFJ, NUJU, and FEJK urge a thorough investigation by Kazakh and Ukrainian authorities.
July 04, 2024 Explore the progress and setbacks of press freedom in the Middle East. This article delves into the region's ongoing struggle for media independence, highlighting significant challenges and triumphs.
July 04, 2024 The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) urges Turkish authorities not to contest the appeals of eight journalists sentenced to over six years in prison on terrorism charges and calls for an end to the baseless prosecution of journalists. Learn more about the convictions and the appeals process.
July 03, 2024 The Committee to Protect Journalists welcomes the UN Working Group's declaration that the imprisonment of Guatemalan journalist Jose Ruben Zamora is arbitrary and calls for his immediate release. CPJ highlights the unjust prosecution faced by Zamora for his investigative reporting on government corruption.