PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) Assembly has prepared a draft law that proposes expanded powers for the speaker and new restrictions on journalists covering assembly proceedings, including possible prison sentences and financial penalties for alleged violations.
According to the proposed legislation, the speaker would be empowered to exclude journalists from covering assembly proceedings and publishing or broadcasting any material about certain assembly matters for a particular period.
Under the new draft bill, journalists would also be subject to penalties in case of violations, including up to six months’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs1 million.
It further suggests some measures against the distorted coverage of the proceedings of the assembly. Any journalist or media company found guilty of providing misleading information could be punished with up to three years’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs300,000.
Furthermore, under the draft bill, journalists making any allegation about any favouritism or misconduct by the speaker would be punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment and fines up to Rs1 million.
Under the draft, publishing or broadcasting reports of standing committee proceedings before they are formally tabled could result in up to three months in prison and a fine of up to Rs300,000. Similarly, releasing details of an adjournment motion before it is presented in the assembly could carry a penalty of up to one month in prison and a fine of up to Rs100,000.
The proposed bill also seeks to increase the powers and privileges of the speaker, deputy speaker and members of the provincial assembly, while providing exemptions in several matters.
The draft legislation is expected to draw attention from journalists’ organizations and civil society groups, who are likely to examine its implications for press freedom and parliamentary reporting.
