President Alvi signs Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021

ISLAMABAD (92 News) – President Dr Arif Alvi signed the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021 on Wednesday.

Speaking on the occasion, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhary said that it was responsibility of the government to protect the rights of the working journalists. "The government is standing behind the working journalists," he maintained.

Federal Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari said that journalists bodies had helped in preparing the bill. "An independent commission will be formed first time in the country," she added.

The National Assembly and the Senate have already passed the bill on November 8 and November 19, respectively.

The bill is meant to promote, protect and effectively ensure the independence, impartiality, safety and freedom of expression of journalists and media professionals.

The law would offer journalists and media professionals the right to carry out their work in conflict-hit areas within the country, without threat, intimidation, harassment or fear of persecution or targeting.

Under the bill, the government will take all possible steps to protect journalists and media professionals from all forms of abuse, violence and exploitation at the hands of any person, institution (private or public) or authority.

The bill authorizes the government to establish a commission that will inquire into complaints against threats or acts of torture, killing, violent attacks, forced disappearance, and arbitrary arrests. The reports of the commission will be presented before parliament through the Ministry of Human Rights (MoHR).

It will also enable active investigation, prosecution and punishing of the acts of violence and any threats to journalists, ensuring the protection of their lives.