Joint Action Committee of Media rejected draconian PECA ordinance

Amendments brought by the PTI-led government to PECA are a 'blatant move to stifle media independence, freedom of speech, and dissenting voices' said the JAC

The Media Joint Action Committee has rejected the amendments in PECA through the ordinance and declared the amendments ‘draconian’. President Arif Alvi promulgated ordinance on Sunday making changes in the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, (PECA) 2016.

The JAC, comprising of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), said that the amendments brought by the PTI-led government to PECA are a "blatant move to stifle media independence, freedom of speech, and dissenting voices."

The statement said that all media bodies will "take any and all legal actions to challenge any attempt to curb media’s independence and its right to raise voice against any steps to curb freedom of expression as guaranteed in the constitution."

The JAC will, if needed, oppose all such moves with the "full might of its constituent bodies and individual members."

The statement further added that it is "evident that the government is adamant to push through its ill-conceived and draconian agenda through various presidential ordinances". All media bodies stand united to defend freedom of expression and people’s right to information, it added.

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