Government moves forward in drafting law against fake news

The federal government is actively drafting legislation to combat fake news, with a proposed amendment to the Cyber Crimes Act currently under review by relevant ministries.

According to official sources, the proposed law includes penalties of up to five years in prison and a fine of Rs1 million for individuals convicted of spreading fake news. The draft will undergo consultations involving all key stakeholders, such as the Ministry of Information Technology and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, before being presented to the federal cabinet for approval. Once cleared, it will be introduced in parliament as an amendment bill.

The government has also decided to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) to address fake news and other unlawful content. The new draft outlines 16 categories of prohibited material, including fake news, hate speech targeting state institutions, and content inciting fear or panic.

As part of the amendment, a Digital Rights Protection Authority (DRPA) is proposed to regulate digital content. The DRPA will include a chairperson and six members and will take over certain powers currently held by the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA). These powers include registering social media platforms, setting operational guidelines, blocking or removing illegal content, and restricting social media access when required.

The DRPA will play a key role in tackling the dissemination of fake news, ensuring stronger oversight in the digital domain. The proposed draft is still under review and may be revised based on feedback from the consultation process.