Standing Committee Passes Key Media Bills 

APP

Islamabad: The Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting unanimously passed the Private Member’s Bill titled “The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2022,” with several amendments after a thorough examination of all clauses starting from 20-D on Wednesday. 

This bill was introduced by Senator Saleem Mandviwala.

The meeting, chaired by Senator Syed Ali Zafar, took place at the Parliament House. During the session, the committee approved the minutes from its previous meeting on July 10, 2024.

They also reviewed the Private Member’s Bill for “The Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023,” presented by Senator Dr Zarqa Suharawardy Taimur on November 20, 2023.

Additionally, the committee discussed in detail two other Private Members’ Bills: “The Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2020,” introduced by Senator Manzoor Ahmed on January 25, 2021, and “The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2022,” introduced by Senator Saleem Mandviwala on January 31, 2022.

The committee also addressed the law of defamation, considering its objectives and future in light of Articles 19 and 19-A of the Constitution of Pakistan. Eminent journalists like Muhammad Malik, along with representatives from electronic and print media, were invited to provide suggestions on the amendment bills.

The committee agreed on the importance of protecting journalists and media professionals, recognizing them as the fourth pillar of the state. It was decided that the state should safeguard them from physical violence, arbitrary arrests, and enforced disappearances.

The committee approved the establishment of a Commission for the Protection of Journalists and suggested that media professionals and representatives from the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), along with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, draft an official definition of a journalist.

The committee also discussed the controversial Defamation Act passed by the Punjab Assembly. The chairman noted that this law has nationwide implications and needs further discussion.

Senator Pervaiz Rashid objected, suggesting that the committee should first hear from the Advocate General of Punjab. The committee has requested that media professionals submit a draft of the Defamation Act 2002 for review in the next meeting.

Regarding Senator Dr. Zarqa Taimur’s Private Member’s Bill on the Right of Access to Information (Amendment) Bill, 2023, she mentioned that she has reviewed the drafts from the ministry and will collaborate with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to finalize a draft for the committee’s review in the next meeting.

The chairman of the committee stated that officials from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the Ministry of Law should work with Senator Zarqa Taimur to provide a draft to the committee.

Senator Manzoor Ahmed requested a postponement of his Access to Information Amendment Bill until the next meeting, which the Standing Committee agreed to.

The meeting was attended by the chairman, Senator Syed Ali Zafar, as well as Senators Pervaiz Rashid, Muhammad Tallal Badar, Abdul Shakoor Khan, Jan Muhammad, Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy, Saleem Mandviwala, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, the Secretary of Information and Broadcasting, and other high officials.