ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet today (Tuesday) has approved the Journalists Protection Bill 2020 to ensure the protection and safety of journalists, prepared by the human rights ministry.
According to details, the bill, Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Bill 2020, aims to promote and effectively ensure the independence, impartiality, safety, and freedom of expression of journalists and media professionals.
According to news reports, the bill prepared by the Ministry of Human Rights states at the beginning that the government shall ensure that every journalist and media professional’s right to life and security of person, as contained in Article 9 of the Constitution, is safeguarded and that no such individual is subjected to ill-treatment.
The bill also states that the government will implement best practices provided in the United Nations Plan of Action on Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
The proposed bill states, “In order to maintain the independence, impartiality, and freedom of journalists and media professionals, the government shall take steps to ensure that existing or future counter-terrorism or national security laws are not utilized arbitrarily to hinder the work and safety of journalists and media professionals, including through arbitrary arrest or detention, or the threat thereof.”
The proposed bill will also ensure protection against forced or involuntary disappearances, kidnapping, abduction, or other methods of coercion, and also provide guarantees for journalists to carry out their professional work in conflict-ridden areas in the country without any threat, intimidation, harassment or fear of persecution or being attacked.
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