Currently, there is no platform to inspect the social media feeds, claimed a stakeholder on Friday, So a proposal has been agreed by the Attorney General of Pakistan for the formation of an assessment for the ‘Undesirable’ social media content.
In a conference with the stakeholders and petitioners, AG Khalid Jawed Khan presiding over gave his assent over the social media statute, Assuring the stakeholders that he would talk to the Prime minister Imran Khan, as he hopes that an amendment might be made whilst considering their propositions.
Amid some other propositions were to form a committee consisting of Civil society, journalists a digital rights activist to decode matters and complaints regarding social media such as the Press Council of Pakistan that rectifies print media content as well as the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s Council of Complaints that manages complaint regarding electronic media content.
During the hearing of the said proposition of the ‘Removal and Blocking of Unlawful Online Rules 2020’ related to the procedure, oversight, and safeguards, the attorney general assured stakeholders of the changes of the rules for social media.
The petitioners further adding that the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority [PTA] had been given unconfined sovereignty to act against the uploading of the social media content.
The government professes to enforce the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act against all such unfavorable social media posts etc.
The petitioners comprising of Awami Workers Party, Pakistans Federal Union of Journalist’s secretary Nasir Zaidi, etc had proclaimed that under the constitution the rules were contrary to the freedom of expression. They were of the view that the rules would inevitably lead to the violation of rights to livelihood and the freedom of trade and profession under Articles 9 and 18 of the constitution.
The frontman of the journalists said since there isn’t any sort of a proper platform such as the Pemra’s administrative body to examine the complaints related to the online content rather the regulator had delegated the intelligence agency and the government officials to check regarding the undesirable content.
