Pakistan Rethinks Social Media Laws
An effort towards progress or prior restraint?
Growing influence of social media over Pakistani population is not a concealed fact and almost everyone knows about it. Amidst all the confusion and chaos, government of Pakistan has decided to stir things up but is it really a change or just a storm in a cup of tea? A committee has been appointed which will overlook the matter of setting up new social media regulations.
A question to us
Here we ask ourselves, is it really a step in the right direction or just censorship? The panel is to review previous regulations if any, while simultaneously holding meetings with concerned authority figures of civil society. In addition to civil society, technology companies will also have a say in this matter. Regulation of online content without the violation of freedom of speech is not an easy task to handle but yet officials are optimistic. There’s always a fine line in such matters, which if crossed, doesn’t yield good results.
Overgrowing Effects
For many around the world, this is not something new but for those residing in Pakistan, it’s something unknown. What will happen after social media is regulated? What will be the effects on different platforms? Is it going to affect live Tv too? Such questions remain unanswered yet but as time progresses we shall see the outcome. PTA chairman Mr. Amir Azeem bajwa would head the committee along with other esteemed members who are on the committee.
What is it exactly?
So what’s all the fuss about? The set of regulations is called “Citizen Protection Rules (against online harm) 2020”. This was approved on 28th of January 2020. These regulations require strict action within 24 hours against any unlawful content present on social media. Companies are also required to have representative offices in Pakistan. Live streaming of any content related to defamation, extremism, fake news, terrorism, and incitement of violence should also be prevented. Failure to comply with any of these rules might result in a fine of 500 million pkr.
Is it really how it is?
Such set of regulations is unprecedented and like all new proposals, this act has also attracted criticism. Members of opposition party believe that this act might be stepping on the freedom of speech sections in the constitution of Pakistan. However, those in favor seem to think that such is not the case. Many raised brows as speculations grew that tech giants have threatened to leave Pakistan. Dr. Arsalan Khalid, focal person to PM on digital media, came forward to clear these confusions and stated that this is not true. He further mentioned that Asian Internet Coalition (AIC) had some reservations and nothing more. However, AIC expressed concerns over these new set of rules and regarded them as a hurdle to Pakistan’s digital economy. AIC comprises of Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, Airbnb, Apple, and other leading tech giants.
Global Network Initiative (GNI) had some reservations earlier but now the organization believes that Pakistan has taken a good step by being open to extensive discussions and consultations. GNI also stated that it was ready to discuss and evaluate all the concerns about these new set of rules for social media Pakistan which involved regulating content in best possible way.
High-time for regulation
For some, this news came as a shock but others believed that it was high time to introduce such laws for content regulation. With the ever growing mischief and unlawful acts over social media, such an act became indispensible to asserting government authority online. Everyone has a right to give two cents on any matter so what do you think? Is this a step in the right direction or will this act prove detrimental to freedom expression? Does this bother you?
Let us know what you think.
