=> PESHAWAR: International press freedom organisation
PESHAWAR: International press freedom organisation Reporters Sans Frontieres (RSF) fears a new law on cyber crime, revealed on January 7 by the federal government, will pose serious obstacles to “citizen journalism” and calls on Islamabad to clarify the definition of some of its provisions.
“This law prevents any blogger from posting photos or video showing persons who have not given their consent,” the RSF said. “Pakistan has understood its right to give itself a law for fighting cyber-crime, but it is vital that this law should not obstruct freedom of information.”
In a statement addressed to the federal government, the RSF said: “With just one month to go to legislative elections, some of the articles of this law look like censorship.” The Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act has been in force since December 31, 2007, and will be submitted to the new parliament in April, after it has been elected. The law provides for the death penalty for anyone causing the death of another person by means of email messages. A Federal Investigation Agency representative tried to justify the law by referring to Daniel Pearl’s murder and describing the exchange of emails between the kidnappers as a “cyber-crime”.
Source: Daily Times
Date:1/17/2008
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