Economic Liberty for Truth Pakistan is dedicated to supporting individuals—be they professional journalists, citizen journalists, YouTubers, or social media users— facing financial difficulties while defending criminal defamation charges. We ensure economic fears do not silence voices of truth in Pakistan.
Economic Liberty for Truth Pakistan is dedicated to supporting individuals—be they professional journalists, citizen journalists, YouTubers, or social media users— facing financial difficulties while defending criminal defamation charges. We ensure economic fears do not silence voices of truth in Pakistan. Partnering with bus operators, hotel chains, and other corporations and with the support of pro bono legal and media professionals and donations from the civil society the initiative ensures access to a fair defense, regardless of financial circumstances
Unlike civil cases, criminal defamation laws require the accused to appear in person at every hearing. Claimants, often powerful entities, exploit this provision by filing cases in remote towns or cities far from the journalist’s home. The associated travel and lodging expenses, coupled with the mental strain of repeated trips, significantly burden the accused
Journalists frequently struggle to find affordable legal aid, especially when cases are filed far from their hometowns where they have no connections with lawyers. This adds to the already overwhelming costs and leaves many without proper representation.
Defending against criminal defamation charges can be financially crippling for journalists in Pakistan. A single story can result in cases filed against multiple individuals involved in its publication, including the reporter, subeditor, editor, and publisher. Combined, these cases can lead to cumulative expenses of up to Rs. 5 million, factoring in travel, lodging, legal fees, and repeated court appearances. This prohibitive cost often acts as a deterrent to investigative journalism and critical reporting, forcing many journalists to abandon their pursuit of truth.
Powerful claimants frequently file criminal defamation cases not necessarily to win but to punish journalists with prolonged legal battles. They often leverage the financial and psychological toll of the process, knowing that most journalists cannot afford the drawn-out proceedings.
This creates a chilling effect, where journalists are either forced to retract and delete their stories or seek out-of-court settlements to avoid financial ruin. The fear of defamation lawsuits prevents many stories from being published at all, especially when journalists are aware of the costs involved and the high likelihood of harassment through the legal system.
