CPNE flays proposed amendment in defamation law | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

CPNE flays proposed amendment in defamation law

KARACHI – Secretary General of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Dr Jabbar Khattak on July 31 termed the proposed amendment in defamation law 2002 an attempt to curb press freedom, saying that in the garb of controlling politicians’ allegations, efforts are being made to curb freedom of press in the country.

In a statement, he said that CPNE had already expressed strong reservations against defamation law 2002 and owing to that had declared that the law is in contradiction of government’s tall claim regarding press freedom.

“But now after increase in limits of sentence and fine through proposed amendment, it will become a black law against freedom of press,” he said, adding that perhaps the authors of said amendment were unaware of rapidly occurring changes in journalism.

“Instead of a single editor, nowadays newspapers have many editors who belong to different sections; so the term ‘editor’ used in proposed amendment is incomplete and unclear” he added.

He said legal action proposed against printers and distributors like hawkers in amendment bill was also completely illogical.

Demanding of the government to withdraw making amendment in defamation law 2002, he said a meeting of CPNE standing committee would soon be convened to review the said amendment bill.

Source: Business Recorder

Date:8/1/2004