Asma Jahangir Conference organisers condemn ‘muzzling’ of Nawaz’s speech after internet cut off

The organisers of the Asma Jahangir Conference condemned the alleged “muzzling” of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif’s speech on Sunday, after internet services at the venue were reportedly suspended soon after his address began. Nawaz began his speech — relayed from London via video link during the closing ceremony of the keenly watched conference held in…

Indian, Pakistan governments curtailing freedom of expression: speakers

LAHORE: Senior journalists and human rights activists declared that both the governments of India and Pakistan were curtaining the freedom of expression and right to information by legitimising censorship. These views were expressed by speakers at the Asma Jahangir Conference – Challenges to Human Dignity, held at a local hotel here on Saturday. Senior journalist…

PFUJ objects to some clauses of journalists protection law

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Saturday said some clauses of the Protection of Journalists (PFUJ) and Media Professionals Act 2021 could be used to frame a mediaperson in a false case and that should have been avoided. The bill was approved by the National Assembly on Nov 8 and the Senate on…

Fawad Chaudhry congratulates media on passage of Journalist Protection Act

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Friday congratulated “working journalists” on the Senate’s approval of the Journalist Protection Act. “Congratulations to working journalists. Today, the Journalist Protection Act was also passed by the Senate,” said Fawad. Journalists in Pakistan for the “first time” will enjoy rights that they only got in developed societies, he claimed. The…

Senate passes journalist protection, NAB bills amid opposition’s protest

The upper house of parliament on Friday passed four bills, including the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill 2021 and the National Accountability Amendment Bill 2021, amidst protests from the opposition benches. The development comes after the government managed in getting through a record number of 33 bills, including the controversial bill on electronic…

Pakistan’s National Assembly passes Protection of Journalists, Media Professionals Bill

RAWALPINDI: The National Assembly on Monday passed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill, 2021 which would provide for establishing a commission for the protection of journalists and media professionals. Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari, who moved had the bill on May 21 this year, said the bill was okayed by the…