Journalists, activists slam Punjab’s ‘draconian’ defamation law aimed at regulating social media
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani journalists and digital rights activists on Tuesday condemned a “draconian” bill aimed at regulating social media content in the country’s most populous province of Punjab, calling it “suppressing the press.” ” and called for thorough consultation with civil society to protect them. fundamental rights.
Amid opposition protests, the Punjab Assembly on Monday passed the Defamation Bill, 2024, which proposes setting up a special tribunal to try those involved in creating, publishing and broadcasting “fake news”. The court has six months to decide the case and could impose a fine of up to 3 million rupees ($10,776).
The situation comes as the federal government establishes a committee to discuss amending existing laws and creating a Digital Rights Protection Agency to promote “responsible” use of the internet, which activists say is They fear this will be another attempt to regulate social media content and suppress reporting.
Zohra Yusuf, former chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), said the Punjab government has established a parallel judicial system under defamation law to prosecute people, which violates people’s fundamental rights. It added that it would be a violation of
“The federal government and the Punjab government are trying to pass legislation that will regulate content on social media, suppress press freedom and limit dissent,” she told Arab News.
“There are already many defamation laws and regulations regarding invasion of privacy and propaganda against state institutions such as the military and judiciary. Therefore, there is no need to enact new laws.”
Punjab Information Minister Asma Bukhari and Federal Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar did not respond to Arab News’ requests for comment.
Successive governments in Pakistan have enacted various laws and introduced amendments to existing laws to tighten control over social media content and thwart dissent by prosecuting journalists and activists for violating the law.
Digital rights activist Osama Khilji said while authorities have controlled mainstream media, social media is becoming “a problematic platform for the authorities as it is an unrestricted medium”.
“The government wants to intimidate the people through a law that says if you criticize them, you will be fined or sent to prison,” Khilji told Arab News, adding that the law violates constitutional rights such as civil liberties. It added that it would have a “chilling effect” on the rights of people. expression and press.
He said that in the past, courts have stepped in to strike down such laws as unconstitutional after Parliament had enacted them. “While the world is moving towards decriminalising defamation laws, we are enacting new laws to crack down on democratic rights,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Tuesday staged a nationwide protest against Punjab’s defamation law and its enforcement of the law, which would restrict press freedom and regulate social media content. He asked authorities to refrain from doing so.
“We want to work with the government to promote responsible use of the internet, but we cannot allow censorship laws to be enacted,” PFUJ Chairman Afzal Butt told Arab News.
“The federal government has committed to meaningful consultation with journalistic organizations on the proposed digital rights protection authority, but this has not yet begun.”
He said the proposed legislation is “part of a larger plan” to suppress dissent on social media.
Digital rights activist Farieha Aziz said the federal government committee had not shared the bill with relevant stakeholders for discussion and that forcing the bill through public opinion would be a disaster. Ta.
“The government is clearly trying to make Pakistan a pariah state through these bills, because they not only threaten journalists and social media activists, but also ultimately threaten digital rights and rights for entrepreneurs and startups. Because we will be withdrawing the facility,” she told Arab News.
