The federal government is actively working on legislation to counter fake news, with a proposed draft of the Cyber Crimes Act sent to relevant ministries for review.
According to government sources, the draft legislation includes a proposed sentence of up to five years in prison and a fine of Rs1 million for individuals found guilty of disseminating fake news. The draft will undergo a consultation process involving all stakeholders, including the Ministry of Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Following the consultation, the revised legal draft will be presented to the federal cabinet for approval. Once cleared, it will be introduced as an amendment bill in parliament.
Sources also revealed that amendments to the proposed draft may be made based on feedback received during the consultation process.
Just a couple of days ago, the federal government decided to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to tackle the spread of fake news and other illegal content. The proposed draft outlines 16 categories of unlawful material, including fake news, content inciting hatred against state institutions, and the dissemination of fear and panic.
Also Read: 5-year jail term, Rs1m fine for spreading fake news under amended PECA Act
Violators could face up to five years in prison or a fine of Rs1 million under the new provisions.
The draft also includes the establishment of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) to oversee content regulation. The authority will consist of a chairperson and six members, aiming to strengthen oversight in the digital domain. The proposal is currently under review for further deliberation.
Under the amendment, the powers currently held by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) under PECA will be transferred to the DRPA. The authority will be responsible for registering social media platforms and defining terms and conditions for their operation.
The DRPA will also be empowered to block or remove illegal content from social media platforms, restrict access to social media when necessary, and take action against the spread of fake news.
