JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 12, 2014 | Daud Malik
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Proposing to give the Supreme Court “power” to inquire about sources of journalists’ information, a draft bill - the Protection of Journalists 2014 - moved by Jamaat-e-Islami legislators in the National Assembly calls for setting up a National Press Council for “rapid resolution of journalistic problems”.
Introduced by Shaibzada Tariq Ullah, Shaibzada Muhammad Yaqub, Sher Akbar Khan and Aisha Syed, the bill says the council’s membership will comprise a member each from Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Council, All Pakistan Newspapers Society, Pakistan Broadcasters Association, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors and Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority.
The other members will be Secretary Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Secretary Ministry of Interior and at least one representative of an independent media organization “registered under laws of Pakistan…”.
The main tasks of the council, according to the draft legislation, will be to give “proposals and programs to the government with reference to the protection and problems faced by the journalists during their duty” and “introduce mechanism for the solution of problems of journalists.” It will also create conducive atmosphere in order to “ensure opportunities of personal development, progress and education for the journalists working in private and public sectors”.
Further, the council will “ensure prompt implementation on the complaints of journalists.” Importantly it will also “mediate in cases related with the payment of wages and other benefits between the media owners and employees” besides holding “seminars, consultative programs, conferences and round table talks for the protection of journalists and to maintain the dignity of their work.”
Interestingly, the draft bill calls for “protection of journalists from disclosing the source of information” but in the matters which relate to national security. It proposes to give the Supreme Court of Pakistan “power” to inquire about the sources.
The law asks the government to ensure facilities and support for journalists “according to their status as the guardian of public interests for ensuring effectively the freedom of expression as provided under Article 19 of the Constitution.” It seeks cooperation of every government institution to allow journalists “enjoy the right to acquire information including the unpublished information under Article 19(a) of the Constitution.”
According to the bill, the government “will provide special protection to the persons discharging their duties as journalists in any institution (federal or provincial)…”
One of the clauses also calls for supporting women journalists against any “in-discriminatory behavior or sexual harassment in any way” and binding the institutions to “establish a separate working environment for women.”
Bemoaning the fact that 80 journalists have been killed since 2002, the bill regrets none of the killers has been nabbed or sentenced. The International Federation of Journalists says Pakistan is now the most dangerous country in the world for journalists – a situation worsened due to the high level of impunity for crimes against journalists. Of 100 cases of journalist killings since 2000 there have been only two prosecutions.
Unless backed by the treasury benches, mostly the private members’ bills lapse in the National Assembly. However, in the previous 13thNational Assembly, a number of bills moved by private members were approved by the House.
December 05, 2024: UNESCO and IRADA hosted a national consultation in Islamabad, calling for inclusive Internet governance reforms in Pakistan to protect digital rights, freedom of expression, and access to information through multi-stakeholder collaboration.
December 04, 2024: A viral video claiming journalist Matiullah Jan was expelled from PMA has been debunked by iVerify Pakistan. The video, edited with AI, originates from the drama serial Ehd-e-Wafa.
November 30, 2024: Journalist Matiullah Jan has been released from Adiala Jail after securing bail, ending fears of a potential transfer to Attock Jail. He expressed gratitude to supporters and shared light-hearted moments about his custody.
November 30, 2024: Daily Dawn condemns the arrest of journalist Matiullah Jan as a misuse of the law. The editorial highlights concerns over the state's weaponization of legal provisions against journalists, activists, and dissenters.
November 30, 2024: The Islamabad Anti-Terrorism Court has granted bail to journalist Matiullah Jan in a case involving drugs and terrorism charges. He was released on a surety bond of PKR 10,000 following the suspension of his physical remand by the Islamabad High Court.
November 29, 2024: The Lahore High Court has ordered the production of journalist Shakir Mahmood Awan’s alleged kidnapper by Monday while summoning IG Punjab and demanding CCTV footage from Safe City.
November 29, 2024: Suno TV faces criticism for targeting senior journalist Matiullah Jan with a smear campaign following his controversial abduction and arrest. This raises serious concerns about media ethics and press freedom in Pakistan.
November 29, 2024: WISPAP has requested the Ministry of Interior to extend the deadline for VPN registration in Pakistan, citing the need to ensure compliance amid increasing VPN usage after platform bans.
December 05, 2024 Over 50 journalists protested in Kuala Lumpur against proposed amendments to the Printing Presses and Publications Act, which threaten press freedom. IFJ and NUJM urge the government to withdraw the bill and engage in stakeholder consultation.
December 04, 2024 The ICC Champions Trophy 2025 faces uncertainty as Pakistan's hosting rights clash with India's refusal to participate. A political and financial standoff unfolds.
December 03, 2024 Submit your work for the Global Shining Light Award by February 28, 2025. Celebrate investigative journalism from the Global South at the Kuala Lumpur conference.
November 21, 2024 Investigative journalist Rana Ayyub received over 200 threats after her phone number was leaked on social media by a right-wing content creator. IFJ and IJU demand Maharashtra authorities take immediate action against those responsible for this targeted online harassment.
November 20, 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Germany is accepting applications for its 2025 Berlin Fellowship Program, offering journalists from crisis areas six months of digital security training, networking opportunities, and more.