Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket فتح بھی پاکستان کرکٹ کے ڈھانچے کی تباہی نہیں چھپا سکتیJournalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude صحافیوں کا بجٹ کے بعد کی بریفنگ سے واک آؤٹ، حکومت کے توہین آمیز رویے پر احتجاجLegal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar ڈاکٹر نعمان نیاز کی جانب سے شعیب اختر کو ہتکِ عزت کا نوٹسHRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties ایچ آر سی پی کا پی ای سی اے کے مکمل خاتمے کا مطالبہ، آزادی اظہار اور شہری آزادیوں کے لیے خطرہ قرارPFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice پی ایف یو جے کا صحافی سید محمد شاہ کے قتل کی مذمت، قاتل کی فوری گرفتاری کا مطالبہState within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties ریاست کے اندر ریاست؟ جنگ گروپ کے بحال شدہ ملازمین کو دفتر جانے سے روک دیا گیاMoeed Pirzada to report journalist Fakhar Durrani to FBI over alleged data theft معروف صحافی معید پیرزادہ کا فخر درانی کے خلاف ایف بی آئی کو رپورٹ کرنے کا فیصلہ

Pakistani state silencing journalists online through legal victimization: FN

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published October 31, 2021

Join our WhatsApp channel

Pakistani state silencing journalists online through legal victimization: FN

ISLAMABAD—A chilling pattern has emerged in the use of the criminal defamation section of Pakistan's anti-cybercrimes law, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), which has been used frequently to charge journalists and information practitioners during the past three years in connection with their digital journalism and online expression.

New research reveals that cases were registered against 56 percent of the two dozen Pakistani journalists and information practitioners who had a brush with PECA between 2019 and 2021. Out of these individuals who were formally charged under PECA, around 70 percent were arrested. Just over half of the arrested were allegedly subjected to torture in custody.

These are among the findings of a new research study conducted by media rights watchdog Freedom Network titled "Criminalizing Online Dissent through Legal Victimization: Impunity against Journalists Prosecuted under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA)."

The report was launched on the eve of the annual International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists instituted by the United Nations and observed globally on November 2, including Pakistan.

The report's findings are based on the analysis of cases of 23 journalists and information practitioners who were either sent notices by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under PECA or charged with offenses under the same law during 2019-21. The analysis was done on data provided by these 23 journalists and information practitioners through a special impunity measurement template based on the comprehensive Impunity Index developed by Freedom Network.

Iqbal Khattak, the executive director of Freedom Network, said Pakistani journalists are increasingly using online spaces to share independent news and critical commentary that are suppressed on traditional media.

"We have noticed a corresponding increase in efforts to control online expression, either legally or through coordinated digital campaigns against journalists," he said. "The report supplies evidence that PECA has emerged as the primary legal instrument to intimidate and silence Pakistani journalists in recent years because it criminalizes online expression."

Khattak added that it is unacceptable for democratic societies to criminalize dissent and enforce victimization through arrests and torture of journalists, which must stop forthwith and contribute to Pakistan's abysmally low ranking on the global freedom of expression index.

The Freedom Network 2021 Impunity Report provides insights into the challenges faced by journalists and information practitioners in Pakistan charged under PECA, the arbitrary exercise of power by the authorities, and the justice system's response.

Some of the most startling findings of the report are:

The riskiest regions for journalists in Pakistan targeted by PECA: Punjab is the most dangerous region for journalists when it comes to being targeted under PECA with 10 of the 23 cases reported there, followed by Islamabad with eight cases.

Threat actors against journalists under PECA: Two-thirds of the complainants invoking the PECA law against journalists are private citizens. Of the government departments initiating complaints against journalists, most respondents identified FIA as the initiator of complaints.

Nature of allegations against journalists pursued under PECA: Opinions or criticism of the military and the intelligence agencies is the most frequent complaint against journalists pursued under PECA. Criticism in general – whether against executive (both civilian and military) or the judiciary triggered the most complaints against journalists under PECA law. The prime nature of the complaint was alleged defamation.

Chaining dissent – Journalists arrested for cases under PECA and other laws: Nearly half of all journalists formally charged under PECA law and the provisions of other laws were arrested by law enforcement authorities. Two-thirds of the arrested journalists managed to secure bail after their arrest, but some had to spend time in custody ranging from a few days to some weeks.

Journalists tortured in detention: Over half of all journalists charged under PECA and arrested by law enforcement authorities alleged they were tortured in custody. Journalists under remand and those released shortly after arrest both complained of being tortured.

Categories of journalists most frequently targeted by PECA: Journalists working for formal media or freelancers are almost equally likely to be targeted under PECA. Over a third of the freelancers targeted under PECA operate their own YouTube channels.

Journalists targeted by medium under the PECA: Over half of the journalists targeted under PECA worked for digital media platforms.

The most coercive section of PECA against journalists: Section 20, which criminalizes online defamation and carries a three-year jail term and up to one million rupees in fines, is the most frequently invoked section of PECA against journalists with 11 out of the 23 respondents reporting they were charged for an offence under Section 20.

Called to account – Journalists appearing before FIA: Over 80 percent of the journalists summoned by FIA were compelled to appear before it to answer charges against them under PECA. Only one in every five journalists who received the summons ignored it.

Seeking justice – Journalists challenging FIA notices: Over half of the journalists served notices by FIA under PECA did not approach the courts to challenge them – and therefore are denied legal recourse to justice. Around a third of the journalists invoked the legal process to resist the FIA notices.

Relief – Outcome of the legal challenge by journalists: Over half of the journalists who mounted a legal challenge to FIA notices got relief from the courts, which suspended the notices.

Procedural tyranny – Outcome of inquiries against journalists: Only about a third of the complaints registered against journalists pursued under PECA resulted in inquiries completed in due time. Most inquiries dragged on and remain incomplete. For almost all journalists against whom inquiries were completed, legal cases were registered and prompt arrests made.

Criminalizing dissent – Registration of cases against journalists: Criminal cases were registered against nearly two-thirds of all journalists pursued under PECA. There seems to be an arbitrary exercise of the jurisdiction by FIA to register cases irrespective of whether inquiries against journalists are completed or not completed.

Expanding coercion – Invoking laws other than PECA against journalists: For nearly all journalists charged under PECA, clauses, and sections from additional laws were also invoked against them. A wide variety of Pakistan Penal Code sections were used against these journalists, with one of the most frequent being Section 500, which deals with punishment for defamation.

Actions demanded by complainants against journalists: Most complainants against journalists charged under PECA sought punishment rather than settlement. Around 40 percent of the complainants against journalists charged under PECA sought written and published apologies.

 

 

 

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

Even a win can't hide Pakistan's structural collapse in cricket

 June 11, 2025:  Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

Journalists stage walkout at post-budget briefing over government's dismissive attitude

 June 11, 2025:  Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

Legal storm brews as Dr. Nauman Niaz serves defamation notice on Shoaib Akhtar

 May 31, 2025:  Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

HRCP urges complete repeal of PECA, citing threats to free speech and civil liberties

 May 30, 2025:  The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

PFUJ condemns murder of journalist Syed Mohammad Shah, urges immediate justice

 May 30, 2025:  The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

State within a state? Police block reinstated Jang employees from resuming duties

 May 26, 2025:  In Rawalpindi, police allegedly side with Jang Group to block 66 reinstated employees from resuming work despite court orders, drawing sharp criticism from unions and press freedom advocates.

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

PFUJ slams Jang Group's 'economic massacre' after mass firing of over 80 workers

 May 25, 2025:  PFUJ condemns the Jang Group's decision to dismiss over 80 employees in Rawalpindi, calling it an 'economic massacre.' The union warns of nationwide protests if workers are not reinstated.

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

Labor rights trampled: Daily Jang defies court, terminates over 80 employees

 May 25, 2025:  Daily Jang Rawalpindi has terminated over 80 employees, including female staff, despite multiple court rulings in their favor—raising concerns over labor rights violations and misuse of authority in Pakistani media.

Newsroom
219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, PJS reports

219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, PJS reports

 May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.

Pakistan's Flying Horse: How Samiullah Khan changed hockey forever

Pakistan's Flying Horse: How Samiullah Khan changed hockey forever

 May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.

Algerian TV channel suspended for 10 days over racist slur against African migrants

Algerian TV channel suspended for 10 days over racist slur against African migrants

 May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.

NCHR and MMfD launch Fellowship to Empower Journalists on Digital Rights & Gender Inclusion

NCHR and MMfD launch Fellowship to Empower Journalists on Digital Rights & Gender Inclusion

 May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!

'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings

'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings

 April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.​