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Defamation Bill: A tool for justice or a muzzle on free speech?

20 0
13.03.2025
The Defamation Bill 2024, intended to protect individuals and institutions from false and damaging statements, has ignited a fierce debate about its implications for justice, freedom of expression, and democracy. While the bill ostensibly aims to safeguard reputations against malicious attacks, it raises significant concerns about its potential to stifle free speech, intimidate journalists, and suppress dissent. This legislation, in its current form, seems more a cudgel against critics than a shield for the defamed. Supporters of the Defamation Bill argue that it is a necessary tool to protect individuals and organisations from baseless accusations that can irreparably damage reputations and livelihoods. They contend that in an era of rampant misinformation and social media cruelty, stringent defamation laws are essential. Proponents highlight cases where false allegations have ruined careers and personal lives, arguing that the bill provides a legal recourse for the aggrieved. For instance, public figures, often targets of unfounded rumors and character assassinations, could find solace in this legislation, which ostensibly offers them a means to clear........

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