Government wants to stifle freedom of expression through cybercrime bill: experts

JournalismPakistan.com | Published April 26, 2015

Join our WhatsApp channel

Government wants to stifle freedom of expression through cybercrime bill: experts

ISLAMABAD: The government harbors political motives behind cybercrime bill and wants to stifle freedom of expression and freedom of speech through the legislation.

This was stated by some experts and activists on Sunday during an interactive session organized by National Press Club, Islamabad and a group of working journalists.

Usama Khilji, an IT expert and activist with Bolo Bhi, said the government failed to take civil society and representatives of IT industry into confidence over the Cybercrime Bill 2015.

“In a democracy, it is unfair for a government to come up with legislation on a sensitive issue without active participation of the citizens and relevant stakeholders,” he said.

He said the government wants to serve its political objectives through the legislation as some of the clauses of the bill infringe upon freedom of expression of the citizens.

“If the bill is passed in its present form, the government will get the legal powers to block news websites, blogs, Facebook and Twitter accounts,” he said.

Khilji, however, said that he is not against the whole bill but some of its clauses must be amended before final adoption by the Parliament.

The Cybercrime Bill 2015 was recently passed by a National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Technology which the experts say is controversial and needs amendment.

Tahir Malik, Professor at National University of Modern Languages, said that a society cannot progress without critical thinking and fair competition to acquire modern techniques and skills.

“All segments of the society including journalists, doctors and engineers should be engaged to raise voice against the cybercrime bill as it is bound to curtail freedom of expression if passed by the Parliament,” he said.

Malik said the mainstream and social media are the modern age tools that help democratic governments to address social issues like poverty and crime.

“Unfortunately, our rulers are heavily influenced by monarchs of Saudi Arabia where even department of political sciences doesn’t exist in their universities,” he said.

Shaharyar Khan, President National Press Club, likened the cybercrime bill to Press and Publication Ordinance promulgated by President Ayub Khan in 1960.

“It is unfortunate that a democratic government wants to impose a law on journalists and the citizens that even dictators failed to do,” he said, adding the journalists concerns about the bill would be conveyed to the government.

Khan warned that if the government tried to pass the bill in its present form, then journalists would stage protest demonstrations against the government across the country, besides blocking coverage of parliamentarians.

Speaking on the occasion, Syed Ahmad, a representative of Pakistan Software Houses Association, said the cybercrime bill in its present form will hamper foreign investment in the IT industry.

“The government should not consider the technology a threat to it and must consider amendments to some of its controversial clauses,” he said.

Business models of news organizations are changing as they are fast turning to Internet and social media, he said, adding the government should apply forward thinking to strengthen journalists instead of curtailing their freedom of expression.

Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning

April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.

AJK government registers case against newspaper and staff

April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.

Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting

April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.

Noorani’s missing brothers: Court orders IG to produce individuals

April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.

Journalist Farhan Mallick granted bail

April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.

Ghulam Abbas Shah joins Discover Pakistan as Head of Programming

April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.

PFUJ condemns Pakistani journalists' visit to Israel as an ethical violation

April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.

Can films fight terrorism? Dawn raises doubts

March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?

Newsroom

Nominations open for IPI’s 2025 Press Freedom Awards

April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.

Journalist burned alive while reporting Kathmandu protest

April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.

Digital journalist arrested for corruption reporting in India

April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.

Judge temporarily blocks Trump administration's move to dismantle VOA

March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.

Turkey deports BBC journalist over 'public order' threat, fines TV channels

March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.