Guidelines for filing a complaint under the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act, 2021
With the passage of the country’s first media safety law in 2021, journalists and media practitioners in Sindh were provided with a legal avenue to use if they faced any attack or threats of attack.
The Sindh Protection Of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners Act 2021 became Pakistan’s first media safety law when the Sindh Assembly successfully passed it in May 2021. After initially raising objections, the governor signed the bill into law in July of the same year. In November 2022, the Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners was formed.
Journalists and media professionals in Sindh are also protected under the federal-level law — Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act, 2021 — passed on November 8, 2021.
This document provides a step-by-step guideline for filing a complaint under the Sindh media safety law and important information to note for the process.
The complete guidelines can be accessed in Urdu: Guidelines to file a complaint – Sindh (Urdu) .docx and in English: Guidelines to file a complaint – Sindh (English) .docx.
Definitions
Journalist:
- Any person engaged in print, news website, or any broadcast medium.
- Any freelancer working in print, news website, or any broadcast medium.
Media Practitioner:
- Anyone collecting, processing, or disseminating information via mass communication.
- Camera persons, photographers, technical support staff, drivers, interpreters, editors, translators, publishers, broadcasters, printers and distributors.
Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners
In November 2022, the 14-member Sindh Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners was formed. While the Commission does not yet have an email address, website, or phone number, the process for filing a complaint in the current setup has been provided below.
The Commission comprises 14 members:
❖Chairperson: Aijaz Ahmad Memon
Officials of government departments:
- Secretary Sindh Information Department; Nadeem-ur-Rehman Memon
- Secretary Sindh Home Department; Muhammad Iqbal Memon
- Secretary Sindh Law Department
- Secretary Sindh Human Rights Department: Tahseen Fatima
Members from media organisations:
- Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists; Faheem Siddiqui
- All Pakistan Newspapers Society; Kazi Asad Abid
- Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors; Dr Jabbar Khattak
- Pakistan Broadcasters Association; Muhammad Athar Kazi
- APNEC; Ghulam Fariduddin
Members from the civil society:
- Sindh Bar Council; Ayaz Hussain Tunio
- Human Rights Commission of Pakistan; Professor Touseef Ahmed Khan
- Sindh Assembly MPA; Shazia Umar
- Sindh Assembly MPA; Syeda Marvi Faseeh
❖Secretary: Saeed Memon
What is the Commission required to do?
- Look into all complaints of harassment, sexual harassment, violence, or threats of violence against a journalist or media practitioner.
- Shall decide on a complaint within 30 days of its filing.
- Can take suo-moto notice of any attack on a journalist.
- If anyone is found directly or directly involved, report to the government within 14 days and recommend the appropriate action.
- Direct “immediate and expeditious” investigation and ensure speedy trials.
- Monitor the investigation and prosecution of attacks.
- Can summon the relevant records, individuals, authorities, government departments, and agencies.
- Provide legal assistance to journalists on behalf of the provincial government.
- Shall be deemed a civil court.
- Monitor the government’s progress towards the UN Plan of Action on the Safety of Journalists and the Issue of Impunity.
- Provide updates and status of cases on a website where complaints can be registered online.
- Submit annual reports of the government.
Who can submit a complaint?
- Journalists
- Media practitioners
- Their families
- Unions
- Media associations
- Civil society organizations working on the protection of life, safety, and security of journalists and other media practitioners.
What can you file a complaint about?
- Harassment
- Sexual Harassment
- Violence
- Threats of violence
Remember:
- No act of violence or harassment against a journalist or media practitioner is exempt from immediate and effective investigation.
- Threats of violence or harassment are considered actual acts of violence or harassment.
- The Commission can’t entertain sub-judice matters (already before a court) or frivolous complaints.
Procedure of a complaint:
- Complaints can be in English, Urdu, or Sindhi.
- The affected person’s name, incident details, and contact number must be mentioned in the application.
- No particular format of the complaint is described under the law.
- No fee is required to submit a complaint.
Mechanism to submit complaint:
For TCS
- Complaints can be sent via post or delivered by hand to:
Sindh Information Department
1’1 Floor, Building No. 6, Sindh Secretariat. Shahra-e-Kamal Ataturk, Karachi, Sindh.
For Email
To:
CC:
For additional information and queries, you can reach out to PPF’s Media Safety Laws Help Desk:
- Through WhatsApp, by calling, or via SMS
- The contact number is 0332-883-4088
Template for filing a complaint
PPF has prepared a template to file complaints under the Sindh media safety law. Information in blue must be added by the complainant. You can contact PPF’s Media Safety Laws Help Desk for further assistance at 0332-883-4088.
To,
The Chairman,
Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners
Government of Sindh.
Subject: Complaint under the Sindh Protection of Journalists and Media Practitioners Act, 2021.
Dear Sir,
I am writing to formally lodge a complaint with the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practitioners regarding an incident of [describe incident]. This unfortunate occurrence occurred on [date], and the details are as follows: [provide a concise account of the incident, including relevant details such as location and parties involved].
I expect the CPJMP to thoroughly investigate this matter and take the necessary actions to address the reported abuse, violence, or intolerant behavior, following the established procedures and timeline. Additionally, I am willing to provide any further information or evidence that might be required to facilitate the investigation process.
I am enclosing any relevant documents and evidence to support my complaint. Please feel free to contact me for any further information required.
Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.
Yours sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Contact Information]
[National Identity Card Number]
