Pakistani journalists rally against law regulating social media

ISLAMABAD - Hundreds of Pakistani journalists rallied on Jan 28 against a proposed law to regulate social media content that they say is aimed at curbing press freedom and controlling the digital landscape.

The law would establish a regulatory authority that would have its own investigation agency and tribunals.

Those found to have disseminated false or fake information face prison sentences of up to three years and fines of 2 million rupees (S$9,647).

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) led rallies in cities including Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore, to demand the government withdraws the Bill, which has been passed by Parliament but has yet to be signed into law by the President.

“It is a direct attack on press freedom,” PFUJ president Afzal Butt said at the rally in Islamabad, before police blocked him and other protesters from marching towards the Red Zone, which houses the Prime Minister's Secretariat, Parliament and diplomatic offices.

“Our movement will continue until the law is revoked.”

Digital media in Pakistan has already been muffled with measures by the telecom authorities to

slow down internet speeds

, and

social media platform X has been blocked

for more than a year.

Reporters Without Borders, an organisation that defends press freedom, ranked Pakistan at number 152 out of 180 on its 2024 world Press Freedom Index. The group also says Pakistan is one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work.

Parliament passed the amendments to the law known as the

Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act

last week.

The government has defended the new regulations, saying the law is being introduced to block fake and false news. REUTERS