Sindh Assembly passes Journalist Protection Bill 2021

The Sindh Assembly on Friday without exception passed Sindh Protection of Journalists’ and other Media Practitioners’ Bill-2021.

The bill will provide a proper mechanism to help journalists to discharge from their professional duties without any threat or constraint.

Earlier on May 24 the bill was tabled in the house and was referred to the standing committee of the assembly on Law and Parliamentary Affairs for proper consideration.

Sindh Information and Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah presented the report of Standing Committee.

The law clearly states that a journalist is not bound to disclose his or her sources of information to anyone. The law contains the provision to establish a commission to ensure protection of journalists. The commission would further receive complaints from the journalists against the incidents of harassment, threats against their lives, and intimidation while performing their duties.

The law also contains the provision to punish the lawless elements harassing the media persons and threatening their lives. The law calls for special judgement to the cases in courts related to attacks on journalists.

The house also passed an amendment to the bill proposed by Opposition leader belonging to Muttahida Quami Movement’s, Khawaja Izharul Hassan. Hassan proposed that the government should bear the expenses required for providing legal assistance to a journalist whose life is threatened or endangered.