CPJ expresses concerns over the US CLOUD Act

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published March 20, 2018

NEW YORK - The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed its concern over the Clarifying Lawful Overseas Use of Data (CLOUD) Act and its potential to expose journalists to targeting by foreign governments.

The CLOUD Act would make it easier for some foreign governments to obtain data from U.S. technology companies and allow U.S. law enforcement to access data stored around the world, according to civil liberty organizations. A group of senators is trying to attach the legislation to an upcoming spending bill that needs to be passed before midnight on March 23 to avoid a government shutdown, according to a report on the news website Gizmodo.

"The CLOUD Act could make it easier for foreign governments to gather data from U.S. tech companies. This could include communications from journalists," said Alexandra Ellerbeck, CPJ’s North America Program Coordinator. "Governments around the world, including many U.S. allies, have directly targeted and surveilled journalists. Despite language that alludes to human rights, the bill itself removes existing oversight for data requests and provides very few protections to ensure that governments would not gain access to communications from reporters."

The legislation calls for the executive branch to certify the human rights records of foreign governments wishing to collect data from U.S. tech companies. However, civil liberty groups said that the standards are vague and provide no mechanism for responding to rapid deterioration in human rights in the countries that have already been approved to collect data, according to an op-ed on the legal news website Lawfare. The watchdog group, Electronic Frontier Foundation, said that the CLOUD Act could also open some loopholes that would allow foreign governments to collect incidental data from U.S. citizens and then share the data with the U.S. government. - A CPJ statement

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?