Islamabad: Prominent journalistic organizations globally have voiced their opposition to the recent changes made to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which received approval from Pakistan's President Asif Ali Zardari on Wednesday, as reported by Dawn.
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) issued a statement asserting that the modifications to Pakistan's stringent PECA are a clear effort to further restrict digital expression and internet freedom under the pretext of combating misinformation.
The IFJ highlighted that this legislation poses a threat to journalists, activists, and the public's right to access information, as it expands government authority online, enhances censorship capabilities, and introduces penalties for vaguely defined infractions.
The organization called on President Zardari to reject the bill and to uphold the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Afzal Butt, president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), expressed disappointment that the President did not heed the repeated appeals from journalistic bodies regarding the concerns surrounding the PECA amendments, according to the Dawn report.
The media advocacy group Reporters Without Borders (RSF) remarked that the censorship and blocking of social media in Pakistan reflect a "very troubling decline in press freedom" within the nation. Additionally, the Media Diversity Institute (MDI) criticized the government for its increased control over the media and internet, noting that it has led to "uncertainty, a climate of fear, and discomfort among the populace."
The Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy (FDRD), which represents a coalition of Pakistani civil society, academia, journalists, private enterprises, development organizations, and rights advocates, expressed deep concern over the PECA amendments, which were enacted by Parliament without consulting relevant stakeholders.
The forum has indicated that the absence of a consultative process not only casts doubt on the law's legitimacy but also poses a risk of unintended consequences for free speech and dissent, which are vital elements of a democratic society. Organizations such as Amnesty International, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and digital rights advocates have echoed these concerns, as reported by Dawn.
In a related development, media professionals have been actively protesting against the Peca law, organizing a demonstration outside the National Press Club. Representatives from various journalistic organizations expressed their dissatisfaction with Zardari's approval of the Peca amendments, highlighting that he had previously assured them he would not endorse the legislation.
The President of Pakistan signed the Peca law following an announcement from the Parliamentary Reporters Association (PRA), which stated that Zardari had promised them he would not approve it. This assurance was reportedly communicated to them by JUI-F leader Maulana Fazlur Rehman.
The PRA issued a statement noting, "At the request of Maulana Fazlur Rehman, the president has temporarily suspended the bill until PRA Pakistan submits its recommendations." The statement further explained that a PRA delegation met with the JUI-F chief, who subsequently reached out to Zardari.
