Major Development for Journalists’ Safety: Journalist Protection Bill Passed

By M.Ilyas Mullakhel
Peshawar – In a significant move to Safeguard Journalists’ rights and uphold freedom of expression, the Parliament has passed the much-anticipated Journalist Protection Bill.This legislation marks a major milestone in ensuring the safety, dignity, and independence of media professionals across the country.

Under the provisions of the newly enacted law, any attempt to intimidate, verbally abuse, physically assault, or pressure Journalists into revealing their sources has been declared a non-bailable offense. The bill introduces strict legal protections to curb harassment and coercion faced by media workers in the line of duty.

Key features of the Journalist Protection Bill include:

Any attempt to prevent a Journalist from publishing news will be treated as a criminal offense.
In cases involving threats, harassment, or physical violence against journalists, a First Information Report (FIR) will be filed immediately.

Forcing a journalist to disclose their sources, or any attempt to extract such information, is now illegal.

Misconduct, verbal abuse, or written defamation against Journalists will also be considered a punishable offense.

Media bodies and human rights organizations have welcomed the passage of the bill, describing it as a historic and positive step toward press freedom
They emphasized that the law will empower journalists to perform their duties without fear, ultimately strengthening democratic values and transparency in governance.

This legislative measure is seen as a response to growing concerns over threats to press freedom and attacks on Journalists in recent years.Stakeholders have called for swift and effective implementation to ensure that the protective intent of the law translates into real-world safety and accountability.

Source: Daily Independent