Home »Top Stories » Senate body approves ‘The Right of Access to Information Bill, 2017’

  • News Desk
  • May 30th, 2017
  • Comments Off on Senate body approves ‘The Right of Access to Information Bill, 2017’
The Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage on Monday unanimously approved 'The Right of Access to Information Bill, 2017.'The bill was referred by the House to the committee for its consideration. The National Assembly Committee on the Right of Access to Information had compared and discussed both the bills presented by the government and private member and found hardly any difference in the drafts, said Senator Farhatullah Babar adding that the special committee passed the bill after considering all the reservations given by the political parties.

Babar, while highlighting the importance of 'Journalists Welfare and Protection Bill, 2017' said that 112 journalists were martyred during the last 10 years and sadly only two cases were reported and pursued wherein some action was taken against the criminals. Chairman Committee Senator Kamil Ali Agha directed the Ministry of Information to come up with the bill with respect to journalists' protection and gave 15 days to draft the bill, adding that otherwise a standing committee will be constituted for the said purpose.

Secretary Information Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera said that the Prime Minister has written letter regarding the draft to Chairman Senate, Speaker National Assembly and standing committees. The ministry has taken on board APNS, CPNE, and PBA as well.

The senators while raising objection said that the owners of channels and newspapers are not the stakeholders and the bill is for the protection of journalist, adding that sometimes it is the protection from the owners.

The secretary information said that the ministry is in contact with journalist community and the draft includes the suggestions made by the PFUJ, field works and PIPS.

Babar suggested insurance of journalists, special protection measures to the journalists and declaration of protection for not only for journalist but also for the source. He said that the bill should include the appointment of public prosecutor and the journalists be given security, where protection is required from terrorism including compliance with international agreements. The committee also directed the ministry to look after the Ramazan transmission and not to use religious affairs for commercial purposes.

The secretary information said that the ministry as well as Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is working vigilantly under the directions of the High Court and the channels have been issued guidelines as well. He said on the first day of Ramazan, the PEMRA issued three show cause notices to the channels. Senator Mushahid Ullah Khan said that the channels get money to manipulate Ramazan and other religious activities.

Senator Nehal Hashmi said that Rs 80 million were given to a channel to show a programme in prime time with a purpose to manipulate the essence of Ramazan. He expressed suspicion how religious programmes are being sponsored by the Jewish companies.



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