CPNE welcomes removal of anti-media clauses

Clauses were said to be based on anti-freedom of expression, controversial amendments.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has welcomed the announcement by Punjab Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi to remove anti-media clauses from the Punjab Privileges Bill 2021, which were based on anti-freedom of expression and highly controversial amendments.

In his statement, CPNE President Arif Nizami said that anti-media laws were tantamount to violating the basic provisions of the Constitution of Pakistan related to freedom of press and freedom of expression.

After the highly controversial bill was presented in the Punjab Assembly, it caused great concern and confusion among working journalists and media workers.

Read Media bodies reject ordinance aimed to ‘muzzle freedom of press’

CPNE, along with journalists, media workers and other media organisations, struggled against the passage of the Punjab Privilege Bill 2021.

Nizami further said that CPNE would not accept any law contrary to the Constitution of Pakistan for the survival of the journalist community.

The country’s law and constitution guarantee freedom of expression and freedom of the media. Meanwhile, the Punjab government’s decision to review the Punjab Privileges Bill 2021 is welcomed by the journalists’ community.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2021.