
Journalists up in arms against PECA tweaks
ISLAMABAD:
The journalists' fraternity observed a black day countrywide on Friday against amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), as media workers held protests outside press clubs, hoisted black flags and wore black armbands.
All media bodies — including Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Pakistan Broadcast Association (PBA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), joined the protests under the umbrella of Joint Action Committee (JAC) against the recently enacted PECA amendment Act, what they described as a draconian law meant to gag dissent.
The flurry of protest activities took place across the country with the biggest demonstration held outside the National Press Club Islamabad, where journalists hoisted black flag on the roof of the club, raised slogans against the PECA Act, and made fiery speeches criticizing the government for using a law to stifle free speech.
Addressing the protest rally, PFUJ President Afzal Butt termed the PECA Act a black law, adding PFUJ will hold protest rallies on a daily basis and spread the protest movement to every nook and corner of the country. He lashed out at the government for making amendments in the PECA Act without consulting the journalists' bodies.
Apart from the federal capital, the protest demonstrations were also held at provincial capitals and big cities against the legislation. Journalists also gathered outside Karachi Press Club, Lahore Press Club, Quetta Press Club, Peshawar Press Club, Rawalpindi Press Club, Hyderabad Press Club and press clubs in other cities. They hoisted black flags to mark the day. They also raised slogans and made speeches against the government and the law. The journalists' leaders claimed that the government attempted to tame journalists under the pretext of curbing fake news.
In addition, TV reporters, anchors and hosts also performed their duties by wearing black wristbands in order to express opposition to the PECA Act. Besides, the journalists also made coverage of public and private events by wearing black armbands.
Despite the assurances of consultations with stakeholders, the federal government bulldozed the controversial bill in the National Assembly and then got it approved from the Senate in haste, which speaks volume about government's ulterior motives and ill-intention, stated the JAC.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Business Recorder
17 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Policy for installing more than one electricity meter unchanged, says Power Division amid social media reports
The Power Division on Sunday said the news circulating on social media regarding a 'ban on installing two electricity meters' was completely false, misleading, and 'a malicious attempt to create unrest among the public'. 'It is clarified that a second electricity meter can still be obtained for any residential property under the prevailing laws. According to the NEPRA Consumer Services Manual 2021, any residential unit that consists of a separate portion, separate circuit, separate entrance, and separate kitchen is eligible for the installation of an additional meter,' spokesperson of the Power Division said in a statement. 'Spreading and sharing such false news is a punishable offense under the PECA Act,' it added. However, laws to prevent the misuse of electricity and the wrongful benefit of subsidies had existed before and were still fully in effect, the spokesperson clarified. The Power Division requested the public not to pay attention to such false reports and to cooperate with electricity distribution companies for the proper and transparent use of electricity meters, so that 'the rightful recipients receive their due in a timely and fair manner'.


Business Recorder
18 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Policy for second electricity meter unchanged, says Power Division amid social media reports
The Power Division on Sunday said the news circulating on social media regarding a 'ban on installing two electricity meters' was completely false, misleading, and 'a malicious attempt to create unrest among the public'. 'It is clarified that a second electricity meter can still be obtained for any residential property under the prevailing laws. According to the NEPRA Consumer Services Manual 2021, any residential unit that consists of a separate portion, separate circuit, separate entrance, and separate kitchen is eligible for the installation of an additional meter,' spokesperson of the Power Division said in a statement. 'Spreading and sharing such false news is a punishable offense under the PECA Act,' it added. However, laws to prevent the misuse of electricity and the wrongful benefit of subsidies had existed before and were still fully in effect, the spokesperson clarified. The Power Division requested the public not to pay attention to such false reports and to cooperate with electricity distribution companies for the proper and transparent use of electricity meters, so that 'the rightful recipients receive their due in a timely and fair manner'.


Business Recorder
21 hours ago
- Business Recorder
Second electricty meter policy unchanged, says Power Division amid social media reports
The Power Division on Sunday said the news circulating on social media regarding a 'ban on installing two electricity meters' was completely false, misleading, and 'a malicious attempt to create unrest among the public'. 'It is clarified that a second electricity meter can still be obtained for any residential property under the prevailing laws. According to the NEPRA Consumer Services Manual 2021, any residential unit that consists of a separate portion, separate circuit, separate entrance, and separate kitchen is eligible for the installation of an additional meter,' spokesperson of the Power Division said in a statement. 'Spreading and sharing such false news is a punishable offense under the PECA Act,' it added. However, laws to prevent the misuse of electricity and the wrongful benefit of subsidies had existed before and were still fully in effect, the spokesperson clarified. The Power Division requested the public not to pay attention to such false reports and to cooperate with electricity distribution companies for the proper and transparent use of electricity meters, so that 'the rightful recipients receive their due in a timely and fair manner'.