https://www.dw.com/en/pakistans-new-internet-laws-tighten-control-over-social-media/a-52375508
The government in Pakistan has recently passed a new set of social media censorship laws that aim to censor any social media posts that feature terrorism, hate speech, fake news, extremism, or incitement to violence and national security. These new laws, The “Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020”, also require that all social media companies set up a physical presence in Pakistan, likely through the construction of a physical company building, and appoint a contact person. These laws have caused a great deal of concern in many Pakistani citizens due to the infridgement on free speech that the new laws create.
Not only do the new laws lead to the mass censorship of social media and require social media companies to establish a physical presence, but they also put a lot of pressure on social media companies to abide by the laws. The “Citizens Protection (Against Online Harm) Rules, 2020” requires that social media companies remove any flagged social media content within 24 hours and six hours in emergencies.
In my personal opinion, I think that it is extremely unfair for the Pakistani government to create laws where the free speech of its citizens are restricted. I understand that these new laws hope to prevent the spread of hate speech, terrorism, and fake news, but, like the article points out, the terms “hate speech” and “terrorism” are broad subjective terms. What may be interpreted as hate speech or terrorism to one person, may be interpreted simply as free speech by another person. I also think that the Pakistani government enacted these new laws behind closed doors and without public consultation because they knew that these new laws would lead to worry and unrest in the Pakistani citizens. In our modern 2020 digital media age, it is really important for citizens of every country to be able to express opinions, news, and information online without extreme censorship.
LIS 4022 Spring 2020 