ISLAMABAD: President Dr Arif Alvi, on Wednesday, signed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill into an act, calling it historic legislation for the country.
The president signed the legislation during a ceremony in the capital attended by cabinet ministers and journalists, and media professionals.
Read more: IHC seeks replies from law, information secretaries on plea concerning journalists’ plight
The bill focuses on protecting the lives of journalists, saving them from harassment and torture and ensuring their welfare by giving facilities of life and health insurance.
President Alvi said that for the last 60 to 70 years, the journalists kept on highlighting issues, but the mafias always harassed, tortured or tried to silence them.
People put pressure on journalists to stop them from exposing their mistakes, he added while underlining the need for a culture of tolerance for journalists as what they do was their job.
The president said that he came to know that a consensus was built among the stakeholders on the bill.
“Everybody is unanimous in protecting the rights of journalists,” he stressed.
While explaining the features of the act, President Alvi said that the act gave protection of life to journalists.
“This right to life is important as the journalists worked in hazardous conditions and with neutrality.”
The government and the media owners should be more responsible for protecting the lives of journalists, he continued.
The act also protected the journalists’ right not to disclose their information which was important for maintaining freedom of expression.
“The act also provided a comprehensive definition of journalists and media professionals,” said the president and added that the debate on disclosure of the information would continue in the society in future as well.
He claimed that the act would give journalists more independence while protecting them against intolerant behaviour, violence and harassment.
Under the act, the welfare of the journalists would be ensured, and an independent media commission would be formed. The act would also take care of the protection of rights of the genders.
President Alvi reiterated that fake news was an issue. “Holy Quran has also warned against fake news as it can create chaos and wars between the nations.”
He said that media personnel had the responsibility to counter fake news. “Social media is stronger than the nations spreading fake news,” he explained.
The president remained apprehensive, however, that social media might affect the outcome of elections in future.
Earlier, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry said that the government would support the working journalists and would strive to protect their rights.
Read more: Veteran journalist Muhammed Ziauddin passes away at 83
“Media owners also have the responsibility to protect the lives and jobs of journalists. Independent media commission will be instrumental in safeguarding the journalists, said Chaudhry.
Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that the new “progressive law” gave insurance of life and health to journalists and media professionals.
