Islamabad: The Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Syed Ali Zafar, met today at Parliament House to deliberate on legislative measures aimed at enhancing protections for journalists. The primary focus was the “Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2022,” which proposes significant safeguards for journalists and their sources.

According to Senate of Pakistan, Senator Saleem Mandviwalla introduced the bill, emphasizing its intent to safeguard journalists, their families, and properties through the establishment of a commission designed to address and mitigate instances of torture and other adversities faced by media professionals. During the session, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) highlighted inconsistencies in the legal definition of “journalists” across various statutes, advocating for a unified definition to ensure comprehensive protection under the law.

Additionally, the committee addressed the Punjab Defamation Act, with Senator Irfan Siddiqui noting that reviewing provincial legislation falls outside the committee’s jurisdiction post the 18th Amendment. However, Senator Syed Ali Zafar redirected the conversation towards a broader evaluation of defamation laws globally, underlining the need for laws that equitably balance fundamental rights and freedoms without compromising either.

The meeting, attended by a wide array of senators and key figures such as Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, concluded with a decision to convene a special session to assess the impact of defamation laws on societal freedoms and expression.