ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) was being disbanded and no “black” law would be enacted that would restrict the right to freedom of expression.
Addressing a press conference shortly after taking oath as the information minister said, “The attempt to bring a black law to restrict the voice of the media … I announce today that the PMDA in whatever shape or form it was working is being disbanded,” she said.
The PTI government had proposed the formation of the PMDA for the regulation of print, broadcast and digital media in Pakistan. The proposal received stiff criticism by journalists, activists and the then-opposition.
Aurangzeb expressed solidarity with journalists whose programmes were taken off-air under the previous government. She said a joint action committee comprising all stakeholders, including media organisations, would meet to discuss the media’s problems and a consultative solution would be found.
She asserted no regulatory authority would be established other than the already functioning Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA).
PECA ordinance
The information minister said the previous government tried to bring a “black law” — Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 — that was struck down by the Islamabad High Court (IHC).
She shared that the Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had decided to review the PECA law introduced in 2016 in consultation with all stakeholders to identify any gaps hinder freedom of expression. She said the bill related to journalists’ protection would implemented.
Responding to a question on whether the government would take action on anti-army and anti-judiciary campaigns on social media, she said action had already been initiated against those accounts.
“Tweets were generated through bots. We have their Twitter handles. The ongoing campaign using faceless Twitter accounts and handles will not only be ended but FIA will also be involved. There is zero tolerance,” she reaffirmed.
She said there would be zero tolerance for sharing journalists’ addresses on social media so protests could be held outside their houses. She said Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif had issued instructions to protect the journalists’ houses and Islamabad police had been put on alert.
The minister said she had disbanded the Digital Media Wing set up by the previous government and the remaining employees were transferred to the cyber wing.
