Social media working with freedom to lie: Nisar

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Interior Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan on Wednesday said it seemed that social media was working under freedom to lie rather than freedom of expression.

He said that a comprehensive strategy should be prepared within three days to curb character assassination through social media. The minister directed the Ministry of Interior officials to evolve such a system in consultation with the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA), so that there should not be a curb on freedom of expression and at the same time no one could misuse this right.

A statement issued here said the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) had presented a report to Chaudhry Nisar on defaming a high-level judicial personality through fake picture on social media. The minister expressed annoyance over refusal to provide the required information from the Facebook administration. The United States government was also contacted in this regard.

Nisar said it was regrettable that the Facebook administration and American officials were not realising sensitivity of the matter. He said neither a foreign company under its policies and freedom of expression would be allowed to make any high profile personality controversial, nor anyone had the right to use social media for character assassination. 

The minister directed that the management of social media companies should be contacted to introduce local versions of Facebook, Twitter and WhatsApp and it should also be ensured that spread of controversial material regarding character was effectively prevented.