Journalists, Civil Society Strongly Oppose Punjab Defamation Bill

News Desk 

Islamabad: Journalists and civil society members have strongly opposed the proposed Punjab Defamation Bill (2024). 

In a letter signed by journalists and civil society members from across Pakistan, they asserted that this bill serves as a draconian and regressive tool to suppress dissent and criticism, particularly targeting journalists and the wider public.

“We outright reject the Punjab Defamation Bill (2024) as a gross infringement on the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and press freedom,” states the letter. 

“Its explicit mandate of safeguarding ‘public officials’ against defamation is nothing short of an authoritarian maneuver, designed to shield those in power from accountability and scrutiny.”

The bill’s provisions, such as allowing defamation actions to be initiated without proof of actual damage and imposing extortionate fines, amount to nothing less than legal intimidation tactics. By replacing district courts with tribunals, the bill opens the door for undue interference. 

Furthermore, the bill’s broad definition of journalists and newspapers to include social media users sets a dangerous precedent for stifling freedom of expression online.

The proposed punishments, including the possibility of blocking social media accounts, are disproportionate and antithetical to democratic principles.

We urge the Punjab government to heed the voices of civil society and stakeholders and reverse this effort to pass another regressive legislation akin to PECA. The Punjab Defamation Bill (2024) must be scrapped entirely. 

“We demand that the Governor of Punjab not sign this bill, and that any future attempts to address disinformation and hate speech on online platforms should be initiated with inclusive consultations at the national level.”