Islamabad
National Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (EMAND) in a joint statement rejected the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PICA) Ordinance.
In their joint statement, the journalists’ organizations said that the government ignored the suggestions of the stakeholders and promulgated a presidential ordinance to stifle critical and constructive voices.
The Action Committee of Journalist organizations said that any such amendment, law or ordinance which would try to suppress freedom of expression would be strongly opposed in every forum.
They said that the Joint Action Committee comprising journalist organizations would work against it to ensure the protection of freedom of press and promotion of freedom of expression.
It may be recalled that the government had promulgated ordinance to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crime Act, under which the exemption granted to PEMRA licensed TV channels was abolished.
Criticism has become a crime under the ordinance and the crime will be non-bailable and the police will arrest him whosoever is involved and remand him in custody. The case will be decided in six months.
However, if found guilty of spreading false information, damaging a person’s reputation or private life, he will be punished for a maximum of five years jail and a fine of Rs. 1 million.
The Amendment Act also includes a definition of a person free from criticism which will include any company, association, institution, organization, authority established by government rules.
The affected person as well as his authorized representative or guardian will be able to lodge a complaint.
