JAC wants its concerns about Peca changes heard by Senate panel

ISLAMABAD: The JAC (Joint Action Committee) — representative body of all media organizations — has written to the chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Interior, urging him give a hearing to the JAC representatives before the committee on the proposed amendment to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (Peca).

The JAC represents Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA).

In a letter to Senator Faisal Saleem Rahman, the JAC said the amendment bill, which carries significant implications for freedom of the press and freedom of expression, has been introduced without any consultation or discussion with relevant stakeholders, including media and journalist organizations.

The JAC said it is not against the enactment of laws that regulate media in a manner consistent with democratic norms. However, the process through which this amendment is being advanced, hastily and without meaningful engagement with the stakeholders, contradicts the principles of fairness and the spirit of democracy, the JAC said.

The JAC maintained that such an approach erodes trust and raises serious concerns about the intent behind the bill, particularly its impact on constitutionally guaranteed rights such as freedom of expression and freedom of the press.

The JAC said it believes that legislation of such importance must be shaped through a transparent, participatory process, ensuring that the concerns, objections, and suggestions of all relevant stakeholders are taken into account. Passing this law in its current form, without addressing these issues, will inevitably be seen as an attempt to stifle dissent and curtail freedoms that are guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan, which is neither acceptable nor justifiable in a democratic society, the JAC added.

“We urge you to give the representatives of JAC a hearing before the committee debates the above-mentioned amendment bill. We would like to put up our serious concerns on certain aspects of this bill which seriously impede freedom of expression,” the JAC concluded.