Minister Fonseca Says Defamation Amendment Provides Greater Protection for Media

Francis Fonseca

But Minister Francis Fonseca, a member of the House Committee that was conducting the consultation on the amendment to the Defamation Act, says media input is valued. He also believes that the changes will offer more, not less, protection for media houses.

Francis Fonseca, Minister of Education

“There is an opportunity now, if people believe there are weaknesses, that the bill is not sufficiently meet the needs of the media, there is the opportunity for us to address that issue. But again, I will make the point and I encourage everyone to, it is law, so it is not easy for everyone to understand and digest, to appreciate but I encourage certainly the media to get the proper legal advice on the bill, I certainly, it would have been good to have a comprehensive discussion with he Attorney General’s office, prior to the tabling of the bill, but it is not too late, We are going through the process. For that type of input. We had a good meeting today and you all provided very good comments on the bill. Those will be taken fully into account. But in my view, in my respectful view, the bill seeks to provide greater protection to the media.”