The APNS office bearers noted that the action will set a dangerous precedent and create trust deficit, inflict fear, encourage self-censorship and undermine democratic accountability

DNA

KARACHI: The APNS strongly condemns the notice issued to Daily Nai Baat by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) under the PECA law and termed it as an attack on freedom of Press.

Senator Sarmad Ali, President and Mr. Muhammad Athar Kazi, Secretary General of All Pakistan Newspapers Society stated that the NCCIA notice to a newspaper and its columnist on complaint of Pakistan Administrative Service Association that the column used the expression “bureau corrupts” to malign civil servants, is a direct assault on press freedom, public discourse, freedom of expression and people’s right to know.

The PECA was framed as legal frame work for regulating cybercrimes, prosecuting digital offences on social media while promulgating the PECA, media organizations were assured that it would not implicate print media; as its frame work restricted to regulate cybercrime. The action of NCCIA against the newspaper is a blatant transgression of the scope and jurisdiction of the Act and the regulating authority, which is not acceptable to print media. The competent regulatory authority to deal with any grievances against a newspaper, is the Press Council of Pakistan not the NCCIA.

The APNS office bearers noted that the action under PECA intended to target newspapers for their journalistic work and performing their duty to function as a watchdog of the interest of the people. The action will set a dangerous precedent and create trust deficit, inflict fear, encourage self-censorship and undermine democratic accountability.

The APNS strongly believes that a free press cannot function under threat of criminal investigation for reporting, commenting or criticism that serves the public interest. Such notices are not about cybercrime but are intended to silence and strangulate the independent journalism.

The APNS demanded that the government must respect Article 19 of the constitution and uphold its commitment to protect independent media. The APNS office bearers stated that the APNS stands in complete solidarity with Daily Nai Baat and all media workers facing harassment for performing their duties.

We demand immediate withdrawal of the NCCIA notice issued to the newspaper and complete stoppage of misuse of PECA against newspapers, journalists and media houses.