23/12/2024, 19:03 The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 (x) establish his/her claim for such damages, which shall be in addition to the General Damages granted by the Tribunal; and “Tribunal” means the Punjab Defamation Tribunal constituted under section 8 of this Act and shall also be used interchangeably for the specially nominated Single Bench of the Lahore High Court where the jurisdiction is invoked by the holder of a Constitutional Office under this Act. 3. Defamation actionable.– Subject to the provisions of this Act and any other law for the time being in force, defamation shall be a civil wrong and the person defamed may initiate an action under this Act without proof of actual damage or loss and, where defamation is proved, General Damages shall be presumed to have been suffered by the person defamed. 4. that: Defences.– In defamation proceedings, a person shall have a defence if he shows (a) (b) (c) (d) (e) (f) (g) he was performing journalistic activities and broadcasted true news for the information of the public; he was analyzing or discussing a situation in a fair and transparent manner in the public interest through online platform; the matter commented on is fair and in the public interest and is an expression of opinion and not an assertion of fact; the statement is based on truth; assent was given for the publication by the Claimant; the matter complained of was privileged communication such as between lawyer and client or between persons having fiduciary relations; and the matter is covered by absolute or qualified privilege. 5. Absolute Privilege.– Any publication of statement made in the Federal or Provincial Legislatures, reports, papers, notes and proceedings ordered to be published by either House of the Parliament or by the Provincial Assemblies, or is part of judicial proceedings or record or any report, note or matter written or published by or under the authority of the Government, shall have the protection of absolute privilege. Explanation: In this section legislature includes a local legislature and court includes any tribunal or body exercising judicial powers. 6. Qualified Privilege.– Any fair and accurate publication or broadcast of parliamentary proceedings, or judicial proceedings which the public may attend and statements made to the proper authorities in order to procure the redress of public grievances shall have the protection of qualified privilege. 7. Act to override other laws.– The provisions of this Act shall have effect notwithstanding anything inconsistent therewith contained in any other law for the time being in force. 8. Establishment of Tribunal.– (1) The Government may, by notification in the official Gazette, establish as many Tribunals as it considers necessary to exercise jurisdiction under this Act and appoint a Member for each of such Tribunals and, where it establishes more Tribunals than one, it shall specify in the notification the territorial limits within which each of such Tribunals shall exercise its respective jurisdiction under this Act. punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/2884.html 5/13