• February 21, 2022
• Freedom of Expression

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday observed that “criminalisation of defamation and its abuse, prima facie, appears to be in violation of the Constitution” and the “threat to free speech… cannot be tolerated in a democratic society governed under the Constitution”. IHC Chief Justice Athar Minallah made these observations while hearing the petitions […]

• February 21, 2022
• General News

ISLAMABAD: Registering a strong protest against what is believed to be a blatant attempt to curb freedom of expression through a controversial ordinance, representatives of media and journalist organisations on Monday walked out from a meeting with officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and vowed not to hold any further engagement with the […]

• February 21, 2022
• Media and Governance

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan, his party leaders and spokespersons on Monday rejected criticism of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Amendment (PECA) Ordinance 2022 as unwarranted. A meeting, chaired by the prime minister, said that no one could be vilified now after promulgation of the ordinance. The meeting also decided that the elements indulging in […]

• February 21, 2022
• General News

ISLAMABAD: A local court in Islamabad has fined journalist and anchorperson Najam Sethi over seeking acquittal in a defamation case for delivering misleading statements against Prime Minister Imran Khan and First Lady Bushra Bibi, ARY News reported on Monday. The district and session judge Islamabad conducted the hearing of Najam Sethi’s acquittal plea in a […]

• February 21, 2022
• General News

Despite claiming to have found leads in the case of journalist Athar Mateen’s killing, police are yet to arrest the culprits. A case of the killing was, however, registered on Sunday under a section of the Anti-Terrorism Act. An FIR No 87/22 was registered on the complaint of the deceased journalist’s brother Tariq Mateen at […]

• February 21, 2022
• Social Media

ISLAMABAD: In another move to regulate social media despite criticism from stakeholders and digital rights activists, the government is all set to promulgate an ordinance declaring defamation of people and institutions on social media a cognizable offence, with jail term being increased from two to five years. The drafts of the proposed legislations, including an […]

• February 21, 2022
• Social Media

Special Assistant to the Chief Minister Punjab on Information and Spokesperson Government of the Punjab Hasaan Khawar has said that together with our media fraternity, government is making strides to support the digital transformation of media in Punjab. In pursuit of the same, Punjab Government Digital Media Advertisement Policy 2022 has been drafted under the […]

• February 21, 2022
• Freedom of Expression

KARACHI: Pakistan’s top media bodies, APNS, CPNE, PFUJ, PBA and AEMEND, have rejected the “draconian” amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016, saying it is a blatant move to stifle media independence, freedom of speech and dissenting voices. In a joint statement, they said that they will take all legal actions to […]

• February 20, 2022
• Social Media

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry confirmed to Dawn News TV on Saturday that the federal cabinet had given the approval for a presidential ordinance to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), 2016. He said the approval for the ordinance was sought through circulation. The minister said under the amendments, defaming […]

• February 20, 2022
• Broadcasting

ISLAMABAD: Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Muhammad Saleem Baig on Saturday directed the Regional Director Multan to take strict action against the transmission of immoral content, illegal channels especially Indian channels in accordance with the law. The Chairman PEMRA issued these directions while visiting the PEMRA Regional Office Multan, said a press release […]

• February 20, 2022
• General News

Glowing tributes were paid to senior journalist and former The News Karachi reporter Fahat Mohiuddin at a condolence reference recently organised by the Karachi Press Club (KPC). Friends of the late Mohiuddin and senior journalists shared their memories of him at the event. The veteran journalist passed away on April 16, 2021, at the age […]

• February 20, 2022
• General News

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain Saturday felicitated the newly elected President of Multan Press Club Shakeel Anjum and other office bearers, hoping that the new body would play its due role for the welfare of the journalist community. Acknowledging the services of Multan-based media, he said the local journalists kept the […]

• February 20, 2022
• General News

KARACHI: Senior news producer of Samaa TV Athar Mateen, who was killed by armed robbers on Friday morning, was laid to rest on Saturday. President Arif Alvi, senior politicians and a large number of people attended his funeral. Police also claimed to have achieved a breakthrough in the investigation of his murder. They said Mateen […]

• February 20, 2022
• Social Media

ISLAMABAD: The representatives of Meta, parent company of Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Messenger had held a meeting with the National Social Media Coordination Working Group (NSMCWG) to discuss initiatives by Meta to support the government’s digital transformation. Prime Minister Imran Khan had constituted the NSMCWG in October 2021 to streamline engagement with digital platforms and […]