The pros and cons of the PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 23 July 2023

The PEMRA Amendment Bill 2023 has been approved, seeking to address misinformation while ensuring press freedom. Editorials highlight both its positive aspects and problematic clauses.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Dawn newspaper has said the recently approved Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Amendment Bill 2023 appears to strike the right balance between filtering out lies and libelous content and ensuring press freedom, but there is room for improvement.

"There was initially some confusion about the government's intentions regarding the amendments, but closer scrutiny has clarified several matters," the paper said in an editorial—New Pemra law—on Sunday.

"The clause calling for paying media workers' salaries within two months should be welcomed. Though ideally there should be no delay in the disbursement of salaries, at least the law sets limits, while workers can complain to the regulator in case of delayed dues."

The editorial said the definitions of misinformation and disinformation in the bill "align more closely with international norms, and are an improvement on the state's obsession with 'fake news', a blanket term through which the authorities could clamp down on all dissenting opinions".

It welcomed the inclusion of a representative each of the PFUJ and Pakistan Broadcasters' Association as non-voting members of PEMRA but added they should be granted voting rights.

However, the editorial also highlighted problematic sections, such as Clause 27. "Under this, broadcast or distribution of a programme can be prohibited, and the matter then referred to a Council of Complaints. Instead of prohibiting content, it should be referred to the council first so that the matter can be investigated, while some parts of the clause appear overly broad."

Meanwhile, The News termed the bill a mixed bag. In an editorial on Sunday—Amending Pemra—the paper said the amended bill has tried to "take on the monster that is 'disinformation' and fake news – an issue that has now become a hydra-headed challenge to journalism in a post-truth world."

The paper said it was good to see that the law has tried to address the issue of misinformation and disinformation. However, the editorial cautioned against using the law to "silence the media."

On the other hand, prominent journalist Hamid Mir said the amendments would be used to silence any dissent during the general elections.

In the proposed amended bill, nine clauses, 2, 6, 8, 11, 13, 24, 26, 27, and 29, had been amended, whereas five new ones, 20, 20-A, 29A, 30B, and 39A, have been introduced.

In a tweet, Mir said the proposed amendment bill violates the Supreme Court verdict and is an effort to suppress any opposition to rigging in the general elections. He said journalists have no other option but to oppose these amendments.

"This is a censorship on media," he said in a television talk show hosted by Maria Memon. He said the main objection is on the clauses which try to define disinformation and misinformation. "When the journalists protection bill was being discussed (during the PTI government), we opposed the section 6, which we termed as censorship clause. We got it removed from the bill."

Mir said at that time that Marriyum Aurangzeb and journalists opposed section 6. "Now she has included the same clause in the amended bill." He said the proposed amendment bill did not define what is misinformation and what is disinformation. He termed it a blackmailing tactic. "I think it is a prepoll rigging. It is also a contempt of court."

KEY POINTS:

• The bill aims to filter misinformation while promoting press freedom.
• Critics argue certain clauses could suppress dissent, especially during elections.
• Specific clauses define misinformation but lack clarity, raising concerns.
• Inclusion of media representatives in PEMRA is welcomed but needs voting rights.
• The amendment reflects ongoing debates about media regulation in Pakistan.