Pakistan Government on Tuesday, criminalized online disinformation with legislation that enshrines punishments of up to three years in jail. This is even as journalists have said the decision is designed to crack down on dissent.
The law targets anyone who “intentionally disseminates” information online that they have “reason to believe to be false or fake. And is likely to cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest”.
According to reports, the law was rushed through the National Assembly with little warning last week before being approved by the Senate on Tuesday. This is even as journalists walked out of the gallery in protest.
Senior journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhry, a member of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, told AFP the Government had assured reporters they would be consulted. He, however, stated that they were “betrayed and backstabbed”.
“We genuinely wanted a law against misinformation. But if it’s not being done through open discussion but rather through fear and coercion, we will challenge it on every available platform,” Chaudhry said.
“Even under dictatorships, legislation was not forcefully rammed through parliament the way this Government is doing now,” he said.
With the Bill now passed by the National Assembly, the President will now rubber-stamp it.
Facebook, TikTok and WhatsApp are among the most popular social media platforms in Pakistan. It has been pointed out that low digital literacy fuels the spread of false information, conspiracy theories and deepfakes in the country.
However, analysts say the Government is struggling with legitimacy issue. This is coming after an election last February was plagued by rigging allegations. And with Pakistan’s most popular politician, former Prime Minister, Imran Khan, in jail on a slew of corruption charges, which his party says are politically motivated.
“Khan’s supporters and senior leaders have also faced a severe crackdown. With thousands rounded up and Khan’s name censored from television,” AFP reports.
Senator Syed Shibli Faraz, a member of Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, called the new law “highly undemocratic”. This is even as he said the law would “fuel the political victimization” of their supporters.
Recall that there has been a proliferation of “disinformation” laws, including criminal legislation, worldwide in the past decade. This is enabling governments to control speech online and police “fake news”. This is as contained in the human rights organization Article 19.
According to the group, such laws can impede journalism, which promotes freedom of expression and information globally.
However, Government Minister, Tanveer Hussain said, the bill would focus on policing social media.
He said, “I am sure that in the future, the anarchy caused in society through social media will be controlled.”
The popularity of the social media in Pakistani is as State control over mainstream media grows. A development that caused the Pakistani public to shift to consuming news on social media. This also included a massive community of commentators on YouTube, who have millions of followers and are often heavily partisan.
“Many lack proper fact-checking skills and contribute to spreading false information, sometimes for clickbait,” a report said.
By the new law, social media platforms must register with a newly established regulatory body. A non-compliance will potentially lead to temporary or permanent bans.
“It also grants Pakistan’s intelligence agencies the authority to investigate disinformation and allows any citizen to file a case.
Recall that social media site X, was shut down in the wake of 2023 February’s election. The shutdown came on heels of posts alleging vote tampering spread on the X platform.
Digital rights activist Nighat Dad told AFP there has been “one restrictive law after another, introduced under the guise of public interest or national security,” she said.
The real intent, she said, is “consolidating power and controlling the narrative.”
From records, Pakistan is ranked 152 out of 180 countries in a press freedom index compiled by Reporters without Borders. This is even as journalists face censorship and intimidation in the country.
According to the Anti-Fake News Lawfare, which monitors cases against journalists accused of spreading “fake news”, at least 239 cases have been recorded in South and Southeast Asia since 2018.
In Pakistan, even before the new legislation, journalists have faced arrest under terrorism legislation. A development, which civil rights monitors say is used as a cudgel on dissent.
source: Channels TV
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