ISLAMABAD: The government has prepared an initial draft of the ‘Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Act, 2024.’ If passed, anyone spreading fake news could face up to five years in jail or a fine of up to Rs1 million.
However, the bill doesn’t provide a clear definition of what constitutes fake news.
The bill also proposes the removal of content from social media that targets law enforcement agencies or individuals or spreads terror.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s adviser, Barrister Aqeel Malik, confirmed to Dawn that the amendments are being done to “eliminate misinformation and negative propaganda.”
As media reports, a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) will be established to ‘regulate social media.’
The authority will have the power to remove content from social media.
The authority will also have the ability to issue orders to remove content that spreads hatred against the state, its institutions, or the military and judiciary.
The draft includes provisions to remove online content that incites religious, ethnic, or racial hatred. Content intended to intimidate, spread false accusations, or involve pornography will also be subject to removal.
Content promoting terrorism or violence will also be removed.
