Defamation law put for debate: Ranjha
ISLAMABAD- Federal Minister for Law and Justice, Human Rights and Parliamentary Affairs Dr Khalid Ranjha said that the proposed new Law of Defamation had been put for deliberations as well as suggestions from the apex bodies of law and press. “It is yet a draft and would only be enforced after thorough consultations and debate at the public level,” he said in a statement issued here.
He said that Pakistan Bar Council, Punjab Bar Council and District Bar Associations had been asked to furnish their proposals before 15th of this month. Press governing bodies like Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) and All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) would also be consulted at a later stage and their valuable proposals and suggestions would be incorporated in the final draft.
“The press should not be apprehensive of the proposed law as the spirit of this law is neither press nor mediamen-specific,” the minister affirmed. “The government believes in the freedom of expression and speech and it would observe its pledges to entrust this right to all and sundry,” he said. “The press is the fourth pillar of the state and it should enjoy its status. The government has no desire whatsoever to curb the press freedom. Instead of harassing the mediamen, the proposed law would put some checks on the unethical media practices and make an effort to do away with an environment of yellow journalism in Pakistan,” he said.
“There is nothing in the proposed law, as it already exists in the shape of Torts. But this law is enshrined to ensure freedom of speech and regularising arbitration. The purpose is to provide genuine freedom of expression, and to keep intact the dignity and privacy of the people” guaranteed by the constitution, he maintained.
He said there is no unfinished agenda of the present regime that could restrain the role or the freedom of the print media. The introduction of the new defamation law while taking the elite bodies into confidence is to harmonise the working relationship between the press and the government, he said, adding it is an open-ended paper and will be finalised after thorough deliberation.
Source: The News
Date:6/7/2002
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