LAHORE, January 28, 2025: Journalist bodies led by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) held massive nationwide protests to protest against the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Bill 2025, which was passed on Tuesday, January 28, by the Senate of Pakistan, in a rushed and arbitrary move.
Ever since the Bill was hurriedly passed by the National Assembly, journalists have been expressing deep concerns over its impact on press freedom and freedom of speech. The bill successfully traversed both the National Assembly and the Senate, and has been labeled by critics as a ‘draconian’ or ‘black’ law, which poses significant threats to democratic discourse and basic rights of civilians.
Protests cut across country
Demonstrations by journalists from all media were held in major cities, including the main urban centers of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, and Quetta. The Joint Action Committee (JAC) of journalists’ organizations also actively participated in these rallies, vowing to challenge the law in court.
The decision to protest was announced by journalists after the Senate Standing Committee on Interior rushed the approval of the amendments on Monday January 27, without any meaningful consultation with journalists and other stakeholders.
What is the outcry over?
The PECA Amendment Bill 2025 introduces immensely stringent measures to combat ’fake news’ and ‘unlawful’ online content. Notably, it proposes severe penalties, including up to three years in prison and fines of Rs 2 million only for spreading disinformation.
Additionally, the bill seeks to establish the Social Media Protection and Regulatory Authority, endowed with extensive powers to regulate online content and enforce compliance among social media platforms. Social media platforms would be required to register with the new Authority. Those who refuse to register or comply with orders to remove content could face bans.
Deciphering the legislation, digital rights activist Usama Khilji said that the PECA Amendment Bill lacks a clear definition of ‘fake news’, which means ‘the government can sentence anyone it chooses, to three years in prison’.
“Another troubling aspect of this Bill is that anyone can act as a complainant, and only the Supreme Court has the authority to hear appeals,” he said while speaking to Voicepk. “This effectively undermines the right to a fair trial.”
Addressing the protesters at Islamabad’s D-Chowk, Munizae Jahangir, senior journalist and the editor-in-chief of Voicepk, said that ‘the passage of the new legislation has exposed the true colours of politicians, showing that they have chosen power over the public interest’.
“With no unanimous definition of ‘fake news’, lawmakers lack the legitimacy to impose such restrictions on journalists and the public. By passing this bill, these politicians have become tools of authoritarianism,” she said.
Veteran journalist Nasir Zaidi also spoke to Voicepk and condemned the draconian measure that curtailed the fundamental right to individual freedoms.
“The legislation undermines freedom of expression, which will ultimately stifle the culture of debate and dialogue in society,” he said.
Press freedom under direct threat
The passage of the PECA Amendment Bill comes against a backdrop of declining press freedom in the country. Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranks Pakistan at the bottom of its index – a dismal 152 out of 180 countries in the World Press Freedom Index 2024. The media watchdog has consistently highlighted Pakistan as one of the most dangerous places for journalists to work, citing threats of violence, censorship, and legal harassment.
In its latest statement, the RSF denounced the amendments to PECA as a ‘censorship tool which, under the guise of fighting disinformation, will silence critical voices’.
Amnesty International has also condemned the bill, stating that it would further shrink the space for free expression in Pakistan and will further tighten the government’s grip over the country’s heavily controlled digital landscape.
The government introduced these amendments to regulate social media content at a time when Pakistan is grappling with serious digital and communication challenges. Over the past year, the country has faced a pattern of internet disruptions, often imposed during political unrest or protests, leading to restricted access to information. Platforms such as X (formerly Twitter) have been blocked since early 2024, while VPN restrictions have further limited citizens’ ability to bypass censorship and maintain connectivity.
Journalists and civil society activists believe that the PECA amendments are part of a broader trend of restricting press freedom, particularly targeting independent journalists and digital platforms. The journalist community is now preparing to challenge the bill’s constitutionality in court, asserting that it violates fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan.
*‘Scrap it!” Journalists hold nationwide protests against draconian PECA amendments (original heading)
Source – voicepk.net
