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In a significant move that has drawn sharp criticism from media professionals, Pakistan’s government has passed controversial legislation criminalizing online disinformation. The new law, approved by the Senate on Tuesday after being rushed through the National Assembly last week, imposes penalties of up to three years imprisonment for those who spread false information online.
The legislation specifically targets individuals who “intentionally disseminate” information they have “reason to believe to be false or fake” that could potentially “cause or create a sense of fear, panic or disorder or unrest.” The passage of the bill prompted journalists to walk out of the Senate gallery in protest.
More than 150 media workers rallied against the legislation in the capital Islamabad, while approximately 50 journalists staged a protest outside the press club in Karachi. These demonstrations reflect growing concerns about media freedoms in Pakistan, where journalists have reported increasing state censorship in recent years.
YouTube journalist Asad Ali Toor, speaking at the Islamabad protest, highlighted the shift of news consumption to social media platforms. “The mainstream media is already compromised. That’s the reason why many journalists turned to YouTube,” Toor told AFP. “The state wants the same control of social media as it is controlling the mainstream media.”
Political analysts suggest the timing of this legislation is not coincidental. The government, formed after elections in February that were marred by allegations of rigging, has been struggling with legitimacy issues. Former Prime Minister Imran Khan remains imprisoned on corruption charges that his supporters claim are politically motivated.
Khan’s Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) party has faced severe crackdowns, with thousands of supporters reportedly detained and Khan’s name censored from television broadcasts. This has pushed much of the party’s communication and campaigning online, where its tech-savvy supporters continue to organize and call for protests.
PTI senator Syed Shibli Faraz condemned the new law as “highly undemocratic,” claiming it would “fuel the political victimization” of party supporters.
The legislation comes at a time when social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp have gained tremendous popularity in Pakistan. However, low digital literacy has contributed to the spread of misinformation, conspiracy theories, and deepfakes. Some YouTube journalists with millions of followers often blend reporting with partisan commentary and may lack proper fact-checking skills.
Government minister Tanveer Hussain defended the legislation, expressing confidence that “in the future, the anarchy caused in society through social media will be controlled.” The bill now awaits the president’s signature to become law.
The new legislation requires social media platforms to register with a newly established regulatory body, with non-compliance potentially resulting in temporary or permanent bans. It also grants Pakistan’s intelligence agencies authority to investigate disinformation cases and allows any citizen to file complaints.
Senior journalist Asif Bashir Chaudhry, a member of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, expressed frustration that media professionals were not adequately consulted despite earlier government assurances. “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.
The shutdown of social media platform X (formerly Twitter) following February’s election, when allegations of vote tampering were spreading online, further illustrates the government’s approach to controlling digital information.
Digital rights activist Nighat Dad criticized what she described as “one restrictive law after another, introduced under the guise of public interest or national security,” suggesting the real intent is “consolidating power and controlling the narrative.”
Pakistan currently ranks 152nd out of 180 countries in Reporters Without Borders’ press freedom index. According to the Anti-Fake News Lawfare online database, at least 239 cases against journalists accused of spreading “fake news” have been recorded across South and Southeast Asia since 2018.
Even before this new legislation, Pakistani journalists have faced arrest under terrorism laws that civil rights monitors claim are misused to suppress dissent.
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14 Comments
While tackling disinformation is important, this law is extremely worrying from a free speech perspective. Imprisoning people for spreading ‘fake’ information, even unintentionally, sets a dangerous precedent that could be abused. I hope there are robust safeguards and clear definitions to prevent misuse.
I agree, this law seems far too broad and draconian. Combating misinformation is necessary, but not at the cost of fundamental rights like freedom of expression. Pakistan needs to reconsider this approach and find a more balanced solution that doesn’t infringe on civil liberties.
This is a complex issue without easy solutions. I can understand the desire to address the real harms of disinformation, but criminalizing it with prison time raises major free speech concerns. Curious to see if there are any safeguards or exceptions built into the law.
Exactly. Combating fake news is important, but this law seems like an overreaction that could do more harm than good. I hope Pakistan can find a more balanced approach that doesn’t infringe on press freedoms.
While I sympathize with the intent to tackle disinformation, this law is extremely concerning from a civil liberties perspective. Imprisoning people for spreading ‘fake’ information, no matter the intent, sets a very dangerous precedent. I hope there is robust oversight and clear definitions to prevent abuse.
Agreed. This is a slippery slope that could easily be misused to silence critics and journalists. Tackling disinformation is necessary, but not at the expense of fundamental rights like freedom of expression. Pakistan needs to rethink this approach.
I’m conflicted on this. Disinformation is a real issue, but this law seems too broad and heavy-handed. Imprisonment for spreading ‘fake’ info is a very dangerous precedent, even if the intent is to combat misinformation. Curious to see how it plays out in practice.
Agreed. While the goal may be noble, the execution of this law is highly problematic from a civil liberties standpoint. We’ll have to monitor how it is applied and whether it has a chilling effect on legitimate public discourse.
This law raises major red flags for me. While the goal of combating disinformation is understandable, criminalizing it with prison sentences is an extreme and potentially abusive measure. I’m very concerned about the implications for press freedom and open discourse in Pakistan.
Absolutely. This is a concerning overreach by the government that could have a chilling effect on journalism and public debate. Disinformation is a real issue, but this law seems like a heavy-handed and disproportionate response that undermines core civil liberties.
Interesting development, though the law seems quite broad and open to abuse. Criminalizing disinformation is a complex issue – it risks stifling free speech if not carefully implemented. I hope Pakistan can strike the right balance between combating fake news and protecting media freedoms.
I agree, the prison sentences seem quite severe. Disinformation is a real problem, but this law may go too far. Curious to see how it is enforced and if there are any exemptions for journalists or whistleblowers.
This is a concerning move by Pakistan’s government. While combating fake news is important, criminalizing it with prison time raises serious freedom of expression concerns. I hope the law is clarified and narrowly tailored to avoid misuse and overreach.
Absolutely. Disinformation can be harmful, but criminalizing it has huge risks for press freedom and public discourse. I’m skeptical this law will be applied fairly and proportionately.