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Express Tribune
a day ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IFJ urges immediate review of PECA by SC
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Supreme Court to urgently review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), citing what it says are escalating threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country. In a letter to the chief justice of Pakistan, the IFJ says that media professionals in Pakistan are facing mounting dangers while performing their professional duties. It points out that journalists are being subjected to legal cases, harassment, and threats under the PECA law. The IFJ also sent copies of the letter to the prime minister, the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court (IHC), and the president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ). It reminds that Pakistan's is a signatory to international conventions, which obligate it to protect fundamental rights. The IFJ letter has noted that recent amendments to PECA have granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) powers to act without a formal complaint - a move, it warns, could be used to silence dissent and target journalists arbitrarily. "These powers pose a serious risk of suppressing independent journalism and freedom of expression," the letter said, urging the top judge to direct the government to amend the law in consultation with PFUJ and other relevant stakeholders. The IFJ expressed concern over the bypassing of high courts through direct appeals to the apex court, calling it a "circumvention of judicial process." The IFJ highlighted the reported killing of at least seven journalists in Pakistan over the past year, while no perpetrators are convicted in cases involving attacks or threats. It cites the latest Press Freedom Report, which has documented 34 violations, including physical assaults, harassment, online hate campaigns, and intimidation.
Express Tribune
2 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
IFJ calls on SC to review new PECA law amendments
Listen to article The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has called on the Supreme Court of Pakistan to urgently review the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), citing what it says are escalating threats to press freedom and the safety of journalists in the country. In a letter addressed to Chief Justice — and also sent to the prime minister, the chief justice of the Islamabad High Court, and the president of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) — the IFJ said that media professionals in Pakistan are facing mounting dangers while performing their professional duties. Earlier this year, the National Assembly passed a set of amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) under a supplementary agenda, significantly expanding the government's authority to regulate online content and penalise digital offences. PECA (Amendment) Act 2025 included provisions for the formation of a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA), which will be empowered to remove online content, restrict access to prohibited material, and impose penalties on individuals who share such content. The amendments also broadened the definition of 'social media platforms' to encompass tools and software used to access these platforms. The revised law now extends its jurisdiction to include websites, applications and various communication channels. As part of the legislative changes, the FIA Cybercrime Wing is to be disbanded and replaced with a stricter framework of enforcement. Under the new rules, individuals sharing expunged material from parliamentary or provincial assemblies on social media could face imprisonment of up to three years along with a fine of Rs2 million. Read: Provinces made party to case against PECA amendments 'Journalists are being subjected to legal cases, harassment, and threats under the PECA law,' the federation stated, adding that Pakistan's government is a signatory to international conventions such as those of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the United Nations, which obligate it to protect fundamental rights. The IFJ noted that recent amendments to PECA have granted the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) powers to act without a formal complaint — a move it warns could be used to silence dissent and target journalists arbitrarily. 'These powers pose a serious risk of suppressing independent journalism and freedom of expression,' the letter said, urging the top court to direct the government to amend the law in consultation with PFUJ and other relevant stakeholders. The federation also expressed concern over the bypassing of high courts through direct appeals to the SC, calling it a 'circumvention of judicial process.' In its letter, the IFJ reported that at least seven journalists have been killed in Pakistan over the past year, with no perpetrators convicted in cases involving attacks or threats. The latest Press Freedom Report, it said, documented 34 violations, including physical assaults, harassment, online hate campaigns, and intimidation. Read more: Back to the cave: Where does PECA take us? Media workers, the IFJ said, also face systemic challenges such as non-payment of wages, unlawful dismissals, and significant security risks. Furthermore, legal barriers to unionization have been reinforced by recent state legislation, undermining workers' rights. 'Media professionals are being deprived of the right to unionize, and they do not have equal access to justice in the courts,' the letter read. The IFJ revealed it has dispatched two fact-finding missions to Pakistan, where representatives met with journalists, media owners, PFUJ leadership, and human rights advocates. The federation said it supports PFUJ's ongoing legal efforts, including a petition filed in the Islamabad High Court, which is still awaiting a final decision. Underlining the urgency of the situation, the IFJ appealed to the Chief Justice to immediately initiate a comprehensive judicial review of PECA, especially the amendments that grant sweeping powers to the FIA. 'Immediate action must be taken to protect press freedom under Article 19 of the Constitution,' the federation concluded.
Jordan Times
03-05-2025
- Politics
- Jordan Times
World Press Freedom Day marked amid rising dangers to journalists
(Photo by Ahmad Abualkas) AMMAN — As the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day on May 3, media professionals and rights advocates are calling for stronger protections and greater support for journalists, especially amid growing threats from conflict, disinformation, and emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. This year's observance is shadowed by a sharp rise in journalist casualties, particularly in Gaza, where dozens of media workers have lost their lives covering the ongoing Israeli war on the Strip. According to the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), at least 171 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began, with many others injured or missing. The day serves not only to honour fallen journalists but also to spotlight the need to safeguard media freedom and ensure the survival of independent journalism in an increasingly complex global environment. In remarks to The Jordan Times on the occasion, Minister of Government Communications Mohammed Momani said that 'Jordan has always thought of free press and credible reporting as part of its security and society peace.' 'Professionalism is the key to success reporting and journalism freedom. In the age of AI and digitalisation, it is important that journalism and government understand the inedibility of the flow of information.' Newly elected Jordan Press Association (JPA) President Tareq Momani also stressed the importance of empowering journalists, citing their vital role in society. 'The current professional and living conditions of journalists require serious reconsideration,' said Momani, a veteran journalist and three-time JPA president. 'They must be able to work in a safe environment with job security and financial stability.' Marking the occasion, JPA president said UNESCO's 2024 theme, 'A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis,' underscores the critical role of bold and courageous journalism in today's world, particularly in the era of artificial intelligence. 'AI can contribute to the distortion or fabrication of information, undermining freedom of expression and, in some cases, posing a threat to journalists by replacing them,' he warned. He also announced that the JPA plans to resume issuing its annual Press Freedom Report starting next year, a publication that has been suspended since 2017. 'We aim to boost professional development through our training centre and enhance journalists' skills and capacity.' Press freedom advocate and former JPA council member Khaled Qudah highlighted that while the tools of journalism have evolved, the principles remain unchanged. 'There is no such thing as conventional versus unconventional media, only different platforms. What remains constant are the profession's ethics, laws, and core practices,' Qudah told The Jordan Times. 'Stakeholders across the region are using the occasion to call for legal reforms, better protections, and ongoing support for media professionals, who continue to work under pressure and in high-risk environments.'
Voice of America
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Voice of America
VOA Kurdish: Pressure on press in Turkey increases
A case has been filed against Kurdish journalist Diren Yurtsever by the 23rd High Criminal Court, with a potential sentence of one to three years. Yurtsever had previously spent seven months in prison. Meanwhile, the Council of Europe has released its Press Freedom Report on Turkey, which highlights the growing pressure on the press and the increasing erosion of journalists' freedoms in the country. Click here for the full story in Kurdish.
