And we also inquired about the new Defamation Amendment Bill that is slated to be presented in the House of Representatives.
The legislation directly affects media and publishing houses including those who are involved in, quote, "the gathering of news, or the preparation or compiling of articles or programmes of or concerning news, observations on news or current affairs…of any article or programme of or concerning news, observations on news or current affairs," end quote.
A cabinet brief had promised that it is for the repeal and replacement of the Libel and Defamation Act…to strike a balance between the prosecution of the reputation of an individual and the freedom of speech and expression and to modernize the law of the tort of libel and slander."
It's consequential for the free press - but as it standard with this and any government - the media is the last one to know about it - there has not been a single effort at consultation. Today, Minister Julius Espat agreed that that consultation should have occurred, but added that there's still time before it is passed.
Hon. Julius Espat
"Definitely you should be consulted; Thats why it's only the first reading in the house, so that has to go to committee and if you all have any objections, if you all have any issues with it, this is the time. But I believe you should have been consulted before and if it wasn't done, then let's make sure that its done, but its not a legislation that we passed through in 3 readings, there is ample time. Let's look at which committee it goes to, I could give you that information if you don't have it and then you all have to do your part. I remember when we were in PAC, the media was asking all kinds of questions as to why they couldn't come into the meetings and stuff like that, so let's be proactive on both sides."
