2 days Ago By Shahid Rao
ISLAMABAD - The Supreme Court of Pakistan has said that the broadcaster of slander cannot take refuge in saying that he is not the originator of the slander; as those who broadcast slander and defamatory material also corrupt those who hear it. In a nine-page order on contempt of court notices, Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa wrote; “Exhilarating elixir of free speech and media freedom does not permit slandering anyone, including judges and courts.” The order stated; “The broadcaster must verify the truth or falsehood of the matter.
” A three-member bench of the apex court headed by CJP Faez and comprising Justice Naeem Akhtar Afghan and Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi on June 28 had accepted the unconditional apology of Senator Faisal Vawda and MQM MNA Mustafa Kamal in the contempt case, but issued show-cause notices to the TV channels for telecast and re-telecast of contemptuous press conferences by the two parliamentarians. The order noted that both the parliamentarians realized their mistake and have in humility sought forgiveness and pardon. Vawda and Kamal tendered unconditional apology to this court in writing.
They have also verbally expressed remorse and reiterated their apology in court. However, ‘preliminary reply’ filed on behalf of the TV channels, stated that contempt proceedings can only be initiated if ‘mal-intent is shown’, that it is a ‘settled principle of the law of contempt’ to establish ‘mal-intent’ and to broadcast press conferences is ‘.
