Journalists call on Punjab Governor to convey grave concerns over Defamation Bill 2024
Stay tuned with 24 News HD Android App
A delegation of various media organizations called on Governor Punjab Sardar Saleem Haider on Sunday and conveyed their grave concerns about the Defamation Bill 2024 which was recently approved in the Punjab Assembly by the government, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The delegation told the Governor that against the norms the government rejected all the amendments proposed by the opposition as well as by the journalists covering the parliamentary proceedings.
The delegation said that the PML-N government refused to delay voting on the bill, even for a week, at the request of journalists.
Resultantly, the press gallery members walked out of the assembly to boycott the proceedings. The delegation said that the entire media has rejected the bill terming it as a curb on free media.
Sardar Salim, while endorsing the journalists' point of view, said that consultation with all stakeholders on the Defamation Bill was essential.
Governor Punjab assured the delegation that “he was trying to bring together all the stakeholders to hold a consultation on the Defamation Bill during next few days”.
In the delegation, the representatives from CPNE, PBA, PFUJ, APNS, Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors were present.
The delegation comprised Irshad Arif, President CPNE, Secretary PFUJ, Ex-President CPNE Kazim Khan, Muhammad Usman Vice President, Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors, Naveed Kashif, Imtanan Shahid and Hafiz Usman Tariq.
PPP General Secretary Central Punjab Hasan Murtaza, former MPA Makhdoom Murtaza Mehmood, Shehzad Saeed Cheema Information Secretary Central Punjab and others were also present on the occasion.