Memes, immoral messages on social media could land you in jail
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 17 April 2015
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The National Assembly's Standing Committee has approved a draft bill that aims to criminalize certain online expressions. This development has prompted concerns about the implications for freedom of speech in Pakistan.Summary
ISLAMABAD: National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information Technology approved Thursday a draft bill on cyber terrorism and has referred it to Parliament for final approval.
The parliamentary panel adopted the Cyber Crimes Bill 2015 without considering objections as serious or merited. The Express Tribune reported Friday that political criticism and political expression in the form of analysis, commentary, blogs and cartoons, caricatures, memes will be criminalized once the bill was passed by the Parliament.
‘Obscene’ or ‘immoral’ messages on Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms will be made offenses without defining obscenity or immorality. Also, posting of photographs of any person on Facebook or Instagram without their permission will be an offense.
The bill says the government/Pakistan Telecommunication Authority will be able to block access or remove speech not only on the internet but transmitted through any device.
KEY POINTS:
- The draft bill targets memes and political expressions online.
- 'Obscene' messages on social media will lead to criminal charges.
- Photographs posted without consent will be illegal.
- The bill grants the government authority to block or remove speech.
- Concerns raised over lack of clarity in defining obscenity.
