Government bill on safety of journalists rejected

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 8 years ago

ISLAMABAD: A proposed government bill on the safety of journalists was rejected by a parliamentary committee Thursday.

The Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage set up a three-member subcommittee to come up with another bill. This would be tabled as a private member’s bill in case the government does not own it.

The committee meeting was chaired by Senator Kamil Ali Agha.

The subcommittee constituted to draft the new bill in consultation with the stakeholders comprises Senators Farhatullah Babar as convener and Nehal Hashmi and Khushbakht Shujat its members.

Senator Babar said the government bill does not address the core issues of journalists’ safety and protection and has vague declarations.

Dawn quoted Babar as saying the government bill was worded as if it was lecturing media persons on international best practices in journalism instead of their safety and protection.