• January 7, 2025
• Media and Governance

On January 3, the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, led by Chairman Senator Syed Ali Zafar, held a session to deliberate on potential amendments to the Right of Access to Information Act, 2017. After consultations with stakeholders, the committee requested the relevant ministry to draft proposed changes to enhance the Act. The session […]

• December 10, 2024
• Access to Information, Media and Governance, Social Media

Minister of State for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja informed the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecommunication on December 5 that amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 (PECA) were under review to “address concerns regarding misinformation.” The prime minister’s adviser, Barrister Aqeel Malik, had earlier confirmed amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act […]

• November 19, 2024
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page, Media and Governance, Media and Society

The United Nations Human Rights Committee (Committee) has called on Pakistan to “fully implement” the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021 and “swiftly establish” the Commission mandated under the law. The Committee called on the State to guarantee that journalists and others, including human rights defenders and civil society actors, can work “safely, […]

• November 5, 2024
• Media and Governance

On the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes Against Journalists, Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) called on all duty bearers to act immediately to reverse course in the concerning situation for the safety of journalists and media professionals in Pakistan. In a statement, PPF stated: “It is completely unacceptable that year after year, the number of murdered journalists […]

• October 28, 2024
• Information Technology, Media and Governance, Social Media

The federal government repealed the rules governing the National Cyber Crime & Investigation Authority (NCCIA), a body created earlier this year to tackle cybercrime, internet-related offenses, and data protection, Dawn reported. The NCCIA, created earlier this year to tackle cybercrimes, online harassment and protect data privacy, was set to become the primary entity investigating internet-related offenses. Its […]

• August 6, 2024
• Media and Governance

Punjab Information Minister Azma Bokhari emphasized the need for strong rules to manage social media. During a press meeting on August 2, Bokhari explained that the government’s goal is not to oppose social media but to ensure its safe and responsible use. She noted that many countries create laws to prevent problems and misuse of freedom on social media. […]

• June 1, 2024
• Governance, Media and Governance, Media Development, Media Ethics

On May 27, Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P) pledged its support to journalist organizations opposing the recently passed defamation bill by the Punjab Assembly. Representatives from various journalist organizations met with MQM-P chairman Dr. Khalid Maqbool Siddiqui and other party leaders at the MQM-P’s Bahadurabad office in Karachi. The delegation included leaders from the Council of Pakistan Newspaper […]

• May 4, 2024
• Media and Governance

On May 3, on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, both President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif have highlighted the crucial role of a free and responsible media in Pakistan. They emphasized the importance of journalists adhering to ethical standards and reporting accurately, especially in the face of challenges such as […]

• April 12, 2023
• Media and Governance

ISLAMABAD, Apr 11 (APP): Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Tuesday said the four-year “dark era” for media and journalists was now over as the coalition government had granted full freedom of speech and expression. Briefing the Senate’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, she said the incumbent government fully believed in freedom […]

• March 4, 2023
• Media and Governance

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Friday ordered to form a five-member committee in a case seeking legislation for the rights of journalists and sought its report on March 17. The committee would be comprising Federal Minister for Law & Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar, Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, Secretary Information Shahera […]

• February 22, 2023
• Media and Governance

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb said on Tuesday that the government was aware of the problems being faced by the journalist community and it was taking all possible steps to solve them. The minister was talking to a delegation of the Murree Press Club which met her here. During the meeting, the […]

• February 7, 2023
• Media and Governance

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Monday expressed displeasure over the lethargy of the law and information ministries for delaying legislation for service structure of journalists working in electronic media. IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq resumed hearing the petitions of a faction of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Islamabad High Court […]

• February 3, 2023
• Freedom of Expression, Media and Governance

ISLAMABAD: The special Joint Investigation Team (JIT) formed to probe the murder of senior journalist Arshad Sharif on Thursday has returned to Pakistan after completing its inquiry in Kenya and UAE, ARY News reported. Senior journalist and former ARY News anchor was killed in the Kenyan capital Nairobi on October 23 where he was living […]

• February 3, 2023
• Freedom of Expression, Front Page, Media and Governance

ATTEMPTS to police the internet by states, often by giving opaque justifications for the action, are never a good idea. It should be recalled that this nation was deprived of YouTube in 2012 for three years after a crude anti-Islam film was uploaded on the platform. The video-sharing giant has also been blocked briefly more […]