Protests Scheduled Against Peca Amendments
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has announced that it will mark a “Black Day” tomorrow, even as protests are scheduled to be held across the country. According to PFUJ, this protest is being made owing to the recent amendments passed in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) 2016. Political parties, journalist organizations, and human rights bodies have widely condemned the amendments passed by President Asif Ali Zardari to Peca.
Harsher Penalties for “Fake News”
The new law imposes harsher penalties for “fake news” as defined by the government.
State Regulation Over Digital Platforms
The amendments broaden state regulation over digital platforms.
New Regulatory Agencies
The amendments establish new regulatory agencies. The proposed amendments seek the formation of new regulation authorities that are supposed to regulate social media.
Attack on Free Speech: Flak from Peca Amendments Critic
The bill, according to the critics, is aimed at gagging the dissenting voice and suppressing the critical voices. However, the government is terming the bill as a necessity to check disinformation.
Journalists Attack the Amendments
Journalists have outright criticized the amendments as an attack on freedom of expression.
Opposition Party’s Protest
Another opposition party, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), has also sharply criticized the way the bill was passed in parliament in a hurry.
PPP’s Response: Suggested Amendments
The Pakistan Peoples Party, which had supported the bill, has now come up with some amendments in light of the problems pointed out by journalists.
PFUJ’s Call for Mass Protests Throughout the Country
The statement issued by PFUJ declares that press clubs and union offices across Pakistan will show black flags and organize protest rallies against the amendments to Peca.
Protest Action: Black Flag and Band Around the Arm
On the day of the protest, journalists should wear black armbands and report from both government and nongovernmental events.
Criticizing the procedure as nonconsultation
PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary General Arshad Ansari blamed the lack of any consultation with stakeholders, especially journalists before the amendments became law.
Deeply Regrettable Signing of the Bill
They said that despite multiple appeals by the Joint Action Committee, the President went ahead to sign the bill without holding any meeting with the parties concerned, which they termed as deeply regrettable.
PFUJ’s “Freedom of Press” Movement
The PFUJ has initiated a “freedom of press movement” which includes journalists and human rights activists. They will sit outside Parliament House trying to get this repealed, what they call a “black law.”
HRCP Forms Alliance for Freedom of Speech
In reaction to the Peca amendments, HRCP, the Pakistan Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, held a consultative session in Islamabad.
Emergence of the “Grand Coalition”
A new “grand coalition for freedom of expression” was also declared during the session.
Member Groups of the Coalition
Fear of the “Fake News” Definition
Exploitation and Abuse
One more point brought into focus is that the provision granted anyone the right to file a complaint, even if they are not an aggrieved party.
Misinformation and Free Speech
The coalition emphasized the need to balance efforts against misinformation with the protection of the constitutional right to freedom of speech.
The Call for Political Clarity
Conclusion:
The PFUJ, HRCP, and other civil society organizations continue to resist the Peca amendments.Through protests, meetings, and building a coalition across the country, these groups continue to advance the cause of press freedom. They demand that lawmakers repeal laws they view as anti-democratic and a threat to media freedom in Pakistan.