PFUJ threatens countrywide protests if not consulted on cybercrime bill

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 10 years ago

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists threatens nationwide protests if the government does not consult them on the cybercrime bill. They emphasize the importance of freedom of speech against potential government overreach.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has threatened the government of countrywide protests if it fails to take input of the union on cybercrime bill.

In a statement, PFUJ President Afzal Butt said the government should consult working journalists for their input instead of keeping the cybercrime bill shrouded in secrecy.

“We support National Action Plan against militants but can’t allow the government to usurp freedom of speech and freedom of expression under garb of terrorism,” he said.

It is strange that the government is planning amendments to media laws through the cybercrime bill but the fundamental stakeholder on the issue, PFUJ, has not been consulted, he said.

“If the bill is passed without addressing our concerns, we’ll launch a countrywide protest movement against the government,” he made it clear.

KEY POINTS:

• PFUJ demands consultation on cybercrime bill
• President Afzal Butt criticizes government secrecy
• Support for National Action Plan against militants
• Concerns over amendments to media laws
• Threat of countrywide protests if concerns are ignored