Pakistan: Journalists Protest Against Peca Amendments

Journalists across Pakistan mounted protests on Friday against recent amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca), which were quickly passed by parliament and signed into law by President Asif Ali Zardari, Dawn Newspaper reported.

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) organized the demonstrations, which saw participation from major media bodies, including the All Pakistan Newspapers Society and the Pakistan Broadcasters Association.

Protesters hoisted black flags at press clubs and wore black armbands during coverage of events. The Joint Action Committee, representing various journalist organizations, has vowed to challenge the amendments legally and publicly.

Concerns have been raised regarding the vague definitions of ‘fake news’ in the amendments, which critics argue could be misused to suppress dissent. A coalition of journalists, lawyers, and civil society groups is mobilizing to resist the law, emphasizing the need to protect freedom of expression in Pakistan.