Proposed law to gag the media in the National Assembly retrogressive

The National Assembly has demonstrated yet again its little regard for the spirit and letter of the Constitution. By moving one step closer to enacting draconian legislation that would gag the media and shield Members of Parliament from public scrutiny, the proposed Parliamentary Powers and Privileges Bill would introduce a crime of defamation of Parliament.

Under the provisions of the proposed law, publishing of actions of legislators the Speaker deems to be scandalous will be criminalised.