Journalist Protection Bill, to Be Signed Today by President Arif Alvi

The long-standing demand for the protection of journalists and the promotion of independent journalism was met. President Dr. Arif Alvi will sign the Journalist and Media Professionals Protection (Act) Bill 2021 in a special ceremony held at the Presidency today after which the bill will become law.

The National Assembly passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill 2021 on November 8 and the Senate on November 19 last month. A commission for journalists and media professionals will also be set up.

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Journalists and media workers will have the right to privacy

The enactment of the bill would give journalists and media workers the right to privacy as well as the right to freely and impartially carry out their professional responsibilities and freedom of expression, privacy, home and personal correspondence (including electronic). The privacy of negotiations, the right to keep news sources confidential, and protection against repression, violence, intimidation, bullying, intimidation and enforced disappearances by any individual or organization.

The source of the news cannot be compelled

According to the text of the bill, once the law is enacted, journalists will not be forced to report the source of the news, while anti-terrorism and national security laws will be used to curb the professional activities of media professionals. Media owners will provide life and health insurance to journalists and media professionals according to set standards.

Journalists will be paid on time

Under the law, media owners will also be required to pay journalists on time. According to the bill, an independent commission will be set up for protection of journalists and media professionals, independent investigation of complaints and prompt redressal. The commission includes Pakistan Bar Council, Ministry of Human Rights, PFUJ, National Press Club, Parliamentary Reporters Association and Ministry. Information and Broadcasting Representatives will be present.

The federal government will appoint the chairperson of the commission for two years. The commission will include at least three women members. Under the bill, the right to life and security of journalists and media professionals will be ensured in accordance with Article 9 of the Constitution.

Protected from enforced disappearance

Journalist Protection Bill: The government will provide protection against the forcible or voluntary disappearance, abduction or abduction of journalists and media professionals.

No one, no organization will be able to take any action that violates the life and safety of any journalist or media professional.

The government will ensure the right to privacy.

Journalists will be able to perform their duties without fear and danger, ensuring that their right to privacy is not violated by any person, officer, agency or institution.

Material inciting violence will be banned

Journalists and media professionals will have the right to express their views in accordance with applicable laws. The bill would prohibit material that incites ethnic, racial, or religious hatred, and incites discrimination, terrorism, or violence.

False news will be prosecuted against the journalist

Journalist Protection Bill would also prohibit the creation of material that promotes racial, linguistic, cultural or gender hatred. The bill stipulates that journalists and media professionals will not be allowed to publish material they know is wrong or false, and those who fail to do so will be prosecuted.

Harassment will be investigated and prosecuted within 14 days

Violence against journalists and media professionals by a government employee or agency, in case of use of obscene language, victims will be able to lodge a complaint with the commission within 14 days. The federal ombudsman or relevant agency will take steps to investigate and prosecute harassment within 14 days. The Commission will set up an advisory committee on the journalist’s complaint in which it will decide whether the complaint should be heard or not.

Legal assistance will be provided to journalists and media professionals

The Commission will ensure that legal action is taken against journalists and media professionals. No one will be exempted from legal action against journalists and media professionals for intimidation, violence and coercion.

Legal assistance will also be provided to affected journalists and media professionals.

The Commission will have the powers of a Civil Court

Under the bill, the commission will seek information from the government, intelligence agencies or authorities on the complaints of journalists and media professionals, and will seek reports, documents, data or evidence from them.

The concerned government, agency or institution will investigate and take action in 14 days. The commission will have almost the same powers as the civil court.

Commission and officers will be exempt for actions taken in good faith.

The hearing before the Commission will be a judicial hearing, the Commission and its officers will be exempted from actions taken in good faith. Intimidating, oppressive and violent actions against media professionals will not be exempted from immediate and effective investigation and legal action.