Opposition parties, civil society groups and journalists reject Punjab defamation bill as ‘regressive’

• The bill’s definition of “journalist” and “newspaper” sets a dangerous precedent for curbing freedom of expression
• Omar Ayub has termed the law a black law and said he will fight it in the NA and state assembly.

islamabad: A day after the Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 was passed by the provincial assembly, over 80 civil society organisations on Tuesday registered protests against the bill, with Leader of the Opposition in the National Assembly Omar Ayub saying they would resist the “black laws” in Punjab, both in the National Assembly and the provincial assemblies.

The Punjab Assembly on Monday passed the Punjab Defamation Bill, 2024 amid protests by the PTI-backed Sunni Ittehad Council and journalists covering parliamentary proceedings.

After the House passed the bill by oral vote, SIC members tore up copies of the bill.

In a press release issued by civil society organizations and journalists on Tuesday, they said they totally reject the Punjab Defamation Bill as it is a gross violation of the fundamental rights of freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

He said the bill was a “draconian and regressive” measure to stifle dissent and criticism, and that it specifically targets journalists and the broader public.

The bill was scrutinised by the Special Committee-1 in the absence of the Standing Committee and tabled by Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shujar Rehman after the PML-N government refused to delay the vote on the bill even for a week as per the request of journalists.

At that time, reporters walked out of parliament to boycott the proceedings. They rejected the bill as a “suppression of free media.”

They argued that the bill’s provisions that would allow defamation lawsuits and exorbitant fines to be imposed without proving actual harm amounted to nothing more than legal intimidation tactics.

Additionally, the bill’s broad definitions of “journalist” and “newspaper” include social media users, setting a dangerous precedent for suppressing free expression online, the statement said.

“The proposed penalties, including the possible blocking of social media accounts, are disproportionate and contrary to democratic principles,” the group said.

The alliance called on the Punjab government to listen to civil society and stakeholders and withdraw its efforts to pass another regressive law similar to Peca (Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act).

They called for the defamation bill to be “completely scrapped” and urged the Punjab Governor not to sign the bill into law.

He said future attempts to combat disinformation and hate speech on online platforms should start with comprehensive consultations at the national level.

Opposition parties resist defamation bill

Meanwhile, parliamentary opposition leader Omar Ayub said on Tuesday that black laws were being implemented.

Speaking to the media outside the Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Lahore, Omar said he would resist the Black Law in parliament and state assemblies.

He said that according to the constitution, no person’s speech can be prohibited. Omar Ayub added that anyone who talks about Ayub Khan’s martial law should ask Nawaz Sharif what he did.

He further said that Babar Awan explained the entire law in court. “I am grateful to the court for giving me justice. I don’t have the energy to travel all over Pakistan in a day, these are all fake cases.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leader Babar Awan added that the chief minister and law minister were in contempt of court. Laws created to arrest journalists don’t work, and they end up going to court against it.

He said PTI stands by journalists. The Dubai Leaks case should be opened immediately, and the job of the judiciary is to protect people’s rights.

It is pertinent to note that the Punjab Assembly yesterday approved the Defamation Bill 2024.

Opposition parties called the bill a black law and tore up copies of the bill in protest.

Journalists also left the press gallery to protest the bill on the steps of Parliament, calling for nationwide protests.

defamation bill

The Defamation Bill 2024 applies to print, electronic and social media. If false and false news is spread, a defamation lawsuit can be filed.

The bill would also apply to fake news spread through YouTube and social media, and would take action against news spread with the purpose of causing harm to private life or public life.

A tribunal will be set up to hear defamation cases and a verdict will be given within six months. According to the defamation bill, damages will be up to Rs 3 million.