NA is a controversial Peca amending bill, despite protests by PTI and journalists

NA is a controversial Peca amending bill, despite protests by PTI and journalists

The National Assembly on Thursday passed an amendment bill that was criticized for its impact on the nation’s laws on cybercrime with a walkout of PTI legislators and reporters from debate. Journalists took a walkout on the day at the gallery for journalists to protest the passage of the bill following its presentation by the Federal Minister of Industries and Production, Rana Tanveer Hussain.

The lawmakers from coalition Jamiat Ulema-i-Islam Fazl also opposed the bill.

The PTI lawmakers were already out of the room in protest against the party’s founder Imran Khan’s detention and stating that they would not allow the house’s hearings to proceed.

The bill and a copy are accessible at Dawn.com. The bill proposes a brand new section in section 26(A) of Peca to punish those who perpetrate “fake news” online, which reads: “Whoever intentionally disseminates, publicly exhibits, or transmits any information through any information system, that he knows or has reason to believe to be false or fake and likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest in general public or society shall be punished with imprisonment which may extend upto three years or with fine which may extend to Rs2m or with both.”

It also proposes the formation of an authority called the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority that would carry out various tasks related to social media, like education, education, training, regulation, enlistment blocking, and much more.

The report said any person “aggrieved by fake and false information” could be capable of contacting the authority for removal or restrict access to the information subject to scrutiny, noting that the authority will issue an order within 24 hours following the time of the request.

The proposed changes suggest that the authority can make any social media company sign up with it in any way, manner, or form and with the payment of a prescribed fee.

It was added that, in addition to the provisions of the law, Additional conditions or requisites according to the circumstances could be included when signing up for the services of a social media site.

The bill stated that the authority would be given the power to issue instructions to social media platforms to block or remove online content that is in opposition to the ideology of Pakistan or other countries. and incited the public to violate the law or use the law in their your own hands, to intimidate, coerce or intimidate public, private and communities, groups or government officials or a part or a section of people to harm private or governmental property; intimidated or coerced the general public or a section of the population and hindered them from carrying out their legitimate business and disrupted public Life provoked hatred and contempt based on religion, sect or ethnic basis to spark tension or violence and contained any material that was obscene or pornographic, in violation of any law applicable; was recognized as fake or fraudulent or were sufficient grounds to conclude that it was fake or not accurate beyond a plausible doubt. It also contained insults against anyone, including members of the judiciary or parliament, armed forces or a provincial legislature, or encouraged and promoted the use of terrorism or other types that are violent against the institution of the state.

The bill also states that any portion of parliamentary proceedings or provincial assemblies removed by the order could not be streamed or made available to view through social platforms in any way, with all efforts made to give a fair representation of the events.

“The statements of proscribed organizations or their representatives or members shall not be streamed or made available for viewing on social media platforms in any manner,” the modifications proposed.

The social media platforms would have an efficient and transparent process to deal with complaints regarding unlawful or offensive content on the internet, and they’ll provide users with an easily recognized, immediately accessible and always available method to file complaints about illegal or inappropriate online material.

The bill also calls for the establishment of the Social Media Complaint Council to receive and deal with complaints by aggrieved parties about the infractions of any lawful provision of the cybercrime law.

The new rules stated that in the event of violations of the regulations, any breach would be reported to the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority to go to a Social Media Protection Tribunal, which would rule on each case within 90 days.

Journalists’ bodies assail Peca amendments.

Journalists’ bodies attacked the Peca changes in separate statements.

The Joint Action Committee (JAC) is a body that represents journalists’ rights organizations, which includes The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) as well as the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), released an official statement in support of the amendment.

“The Joint Action Committee … rejected any PECA amendments that are passed or approved without consultation with media bodies,” the statement read.

“JAC, along with its JAC members, haven’t been included in any draft at this time. After studying the draft, I found that there is no way for the JAC members to be able to comment on the proposed changes.”

The JAC asked that the government not approve any legislation changes “without proper consultation with all stakeholders”.

In an additional declaration, PFUJ President Haji Muhammad Nawaz Raza, as well as Secretary General AH Khanzada, called the amendments in a separate statement an “attack on freedom of expression” and added that they violated Constitutional rights. Constitution and were not embraced by the journalists’ community.

“Such amendments aim to suppress the freedom of the media, especially social media,” the statement reads.

“The government should come to its senses and immediately withdraw the undemocratic and unnecessary amendment. Otherwise, journalists across Pakistan will protest vigorously.”

The statement also stated that Peca was a “black law”, saying that “if this is a democratic government, then it should refrain from it.”

Source : dawn