23/12/2024, 19:03 The Punjab Defamation Act 2024 [1] punjablaws.gov.pk/laws/2884.html 2/13

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The Punjab Defamation Act, 2024

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Institution Established by this Law: Tribunal for adjudicating defamation claims

Notes: The Punjab Defamation Bill 2024, recently passed by the Punjab government, poses significant concerns regarding its potential impact on digital rights and freedom of expression. The bill adopts a broad and vague definition of defamation, providing the government with expansive authority to penalize individuals for online speech, including the power to suspend or restrict social media accounts. It also establishes specialized tribunals to adjudicate defamation claims, which could undermine the right to due process and fair trial. The imposition of punitive damages for alleged defamation, combined with the potential for governmental overreach, risks fostering a climate of censorship that could suppress journalistic freedoms and stifle open discourse in online spaces.

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