Amended ordinance to help curb fake news: Farogh Naseem

KARACHI: Federal Law Minister Barrister Farogh Naseem on Sunday asserted the amended Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca) would help curb fake news, saying that no one will be exempt from indulging in the menace under the ordinance.

Talking to the media in Karachi, Naseem said spreading fake news would be treated as a cognisable offence after the amendments to the act took effect. “It will also be a non-bailable offence with up to six months imprisonment.”

The minister’s comments come a day after the federal cabinet gave approval for a presidential ordinance to amend the Peca, 2016. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry said the approval for the ordinance was sought through circulation.

In his press conference today, Naseem explained that the law was primarily for a public figure or a public office holder, while a complaint about disinformation or false news could be filed by the public at large.

The minister quoted a few recent instances wherein some dignitaries were targeted with false information. He said it was regrettable that filthy language was used against former chief justice Gulzar Ahmed a few weeks ago.

Barrister Naseem also referred to the news report against an alleged rift between Prime Minister Imran Khan and his wife Bushra Bibi, and said “this law will put an end to such news reports.”

According to the law minister, a judge will be bound to decide cases pertaining to fake news within six months. In case the judge failed to adjudicate in the given time, a letter will be sent to the respective high court chief justice to seek an explanation from the judge, he added.

Asked whether the PTI was introducing the new law as it could feel the end of its tenure approaching and to prevent rivals from targeting the part, Naseem said that he did not believe that the government’s days were numbered.

“In case we are in the opposition, then this law will obviously not be favourable for us. Hence, the idea that the government will soon go home is not correct,” he added.

In response to a question, Naseem said the amendments in the PECA law or Article 19 of the Constitution were not unconstitutional as the only purpose of this law was to curb fake news. The ordinance criminalises defamation against civil and military institutions, as well as public office-holders.

Election law amended

In another ordinance drafted by PM’s aide Babar Awan, the government amended the Election Act 2017 to allow parliamentarians to take part in election campaigns.

This law will allow lawmakers and others to visit and address public gatherings during election campaigns, which was earlier banned under the election code of conduct.

A day earlier, the federal cabinet approved both ordinances amid criticism that the government wanted to stifle freedom of expression through such laws.