Defamation Bill 2024 lands in Punjab Assembly despite opposition protests

LAHORE: The government of Punjab tabled a bill in the provincial assembly on Monday titled ‘Defamation Bill 2024’, which aims to curb the spread of fake news on print, electronic, and social media platforms.

According to media reports, the Defamation Bill 2024, which was introduced by Punjab Parliamentary Affairs Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman, was strongly opposed by the opposition and journalists, who even walked out of the press gallery and boycotted the proceedings.

The bill addresses the widespread problem of misinformation on social media platforms, including YouTube, TikTok, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Under the bill, defamation cases can be filed against those who spread ‘fake news’.

The bill also proposes special tribunals to hear defamation cases with fines up to Rs 30 lakh, which will be bound to deliver judgments within six months.

It also stated that the High Court will hear cases of allegations against persons holding constitutional positions.

According to the bill, the government will provide legal assistance to women and transgender people in defamation cases through the government legal team.

The government also rejected the proposal by the journalist community to postpone the bill.

Meanwhile, the opposition in the Punjab Assembly has also rejected the bill by presenting more than 10 amendments to it.

Earlier on May 9, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif approved the draft amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 to regulate social media.

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According to the details, the establishment of the Digital Rights Protection Agency (DRPA) has been approved under PECA Act 2024.

The new PECA Bill will be tabled in Parliament after approval by the Cabinet.

Sources said that the document approved by the Law Reforms Committee of the Cabinet states that the Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunications has considered setting up a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) under PECA 2016 to deal with dynamic digital vulnerabilities.