Pak journalism body criticises new law

ISLAMABAD, Jan 24 (Reuters): A new law in Pakistan aimed at regulating social media content has angered journalism groups and rights activists, which say it is aimed at curbing press freedom and called on Friday for nationwide protests next week.

Parliament introduced and passed the amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crimes Act on Thursday.

The new regulations will set up a social media regulatory authority that will have its own investigation agency and tribunals, according to a draft on the parliament's website. Such tribunals will be able to try and punish offenders with prison sentences of up to three years and fines of two million rupees ($7,200) for dissemination of "false or fake" information.

Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar told parliament on Thursday the law was introduced to block fake and false news on social media, which he said had no specific regulations to govern it.

The president of Pakistan's Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Afzal Butt, said the government had not consulted any journalistic bodies before introducing the law, adding he believed it was intended to gag freedom of speech.