The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has rejected the federal government’s proposed Digital Media Authority bill as well as the Punjab Defamation Bill 2024 which will be tantamount to threatening the freedom of speech in the country, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The general body meeting of AEMEND was held in Lahore on Thursday to review the challenges faced by the journalists community in the country. During the general body meeting, Geo News’ journalist Azhar Abbas was elected as President, Tariq Mahmood of Samaa News as Secretary General, Ayaz Khan of Express News as Senior Vice President, Neo News Muhammad Usman as Vice President, while 24News Mian Tahir and Rehan Ahmed of Hum News were elected as Joint Secretaries. Shahab Mahmud was made Finance Secretary for the period 2024-2026.
While Executive Committee’s new elected members were identified as Mubarak Ali, Awais Iqbal, Naushad Ali, Kamran Lashari, Mohsin Raza, Masum Rizvi and Yousaf Zahid. On the occasion, number of resolution were also passed for the protection of journalists community. AEMEND president was of the view that there was need of strengthening the defamation laws as well as regulation of digital media but all this should not be done in haste.
They urged the government to strike a balance between protecting individual rights and upholding the principles of freedom of expression. The body urged that the Punjab government and the Federal Government to hold extensive discussions with media organizations, and other stakeholders to thoroughly examine the implications of the proposed legislation on freedom of expression.