- Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, withdrawn by federal government
- Decision made during Senate’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting meeting .
- Proposed amendments aimed to redefine disinformation under new Pemra law.
In a significant development, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, has been withdrawn by the federal government following vocal concerns from journalist associations. This crucial decision was announced by none other than the Information Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, on a Monday press briefing.
The withdrawal transpired during a pivotal session of the Senate’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, which was led by the esteemed Senator Fouzia Arshad. The primary focus of the proposed amendments was centered around the redefinition of the term “disinformation” within the new Pemra law.
The discussion revolved around the government’s ambitious plan to replace the long-standing “black” Pemra law with the new Pemra Amendment Ordinance.
During her address to the committee, Minister Aurangzeb revealed that the government had been receiving a multitude of recommendations pertaining to the proposed amendments.
With time running thin due to the impending completion of the current government’s tenure, she suggested that a more in-depth deliberation on this matter should be left to the incoming administration.
However, the decision to retract the bill encountered fervent opposition from journalist associations, who expressed strong reservations about not having the opportunity to engage in discussions surrounding the proposed amendments. The bill, which had been introduced in the Upper House on August 4, was subsequently referred to the relevant standing committee of the Senate for further scrutiny.
It is noteworthy that the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting had, in a separate development, granted its approval for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Bill, 2023, in the month of July. One of the prominent highlights of the bill was the introduction of an updated definition for “disinformation.”
However, in light of the vehement concerns raised by journalist associations and the broader call for a more comprehensive dialogue, the federal government took the decision to withdraw the bill. This approach is expected to enable the next government to engage in a more comprehensive review of the situation and make informed decisions accordingly.