The purpose of the PECA Act is to eliminate fake news and address the dangers of social media. Attaullah Tarar

 PECA law will protect freedom of expression, what is the protest about? Journalists, tell us which clause you object to. If journalists feel that their rights are being violated, they can go to the High Court. Federal Information Minister's address at the ceremony

Monday, February 3, 2025

Lahore (Point News Today - 03 February 2025) Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar has said that the PECA Act will protect freedom of expression. What is the point of protesting the PECA Act? Its aim is to eliminate fake news and prevent the dangers of social media. Journalists, tell me which clause you object to. Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, Federal Minister Attaullah Tarar said that the best practices of the world have been adopted in the PECA Act. This is a good step to prevent the dangers of social media. The aim of the PECA Act is to eliminate fake news and prevent the dangers of social media. I do not understand what is the point of objection to the PECA laws. This law is for the protection of journalists.

He said, "Is there any objection to stopping fake news? Please tell me one clause that you have an objection to. There is no check on digital media, no editorial control." He said that there are problems of fake news, blackmailing and deep fake in the country. There are laws and editorial control for electronic and print media, but there is no control over digital media. Whoever feels like it says that so and so is worth killing. People are defaming journalism under the guise of journalism. They have no experience and skills. Some people defame journalism under the guise of journalism. Women are harassed and blackmailed. People are forced to commit suicide. If journalists feel that their rights are being violated, they can go to the High Court." He said, "This law has been brought to protect freedom of expression. Does the FIA ​​have enough capacity to keep an eye on them?" If not, what is wrong with the establishment of a National Cybercrime Investigation Agency? He said that a Digital Rights Protection Authority is also being formed above this agency. This authority will have a journalist and an IT expert member who will be from the private sector. Along with this, a tribunal is also being formed and journalists will also be included in it. Nominations will be made from the private sector in the Digital Media Protection Authority. Journalists associated with press clubs or journalistic organizations will be included in it.

The Information Minister said that an objection is being raised as to why the appeal of the tribunal should go to the Supreme Court. Appeals of all tribunals go to the Supreme Court. Within 24 hours, this tribunal will have to pass its speaking order, against which a writ petition can be filed in the Supreme Court or the High Court. Not a single clause in this law is controversial. Further rules and regulations will be discussed and consulted. Social media cannot be left free under the guise of journalism.

The Information Minister said that the employees of the institutions are a national asset, the hard work, dedication and skills of the employees are the basis of the success of the institution. Corruption has caused irreparable damage to the institutions. The government is using all resources to improve the institutions and make them profitable. All resources are being used to make the institutions under the Ministry of Information profitable. Solving the problems faced by journalists is the top priority. He said that PTV, Radio Pakistan and APP are national institutions that, along with the basic responsibilities of providing information to the public, are also the guardians of the country's ideological borders. The current era is the era of modern technology. We have to adopt modern technology to compete with the world. We are bringing reforms in all institutions, we will not allow anyone to become an obstacle in the reforms, we will ensure merit and transparency.