On June 13, the journalistic community voiced a strong rejection of the amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Crime Act (PECA), calling for the immediate repeal of the act and the dropping of all related charges against journalists. This consensus emerged at a gathering organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists (Dastoor) at the Karachi Press Club, which focused on diminishing space for free expression and increasing job insecurity in the media sector.
The event, titled ‘Dialogue on Receding Press Freedom and Rising Job Security,’ saw the adoption of a resolution that criticised PECA as a tool used to suppress journalists and curtail media independence. The resolution highlighted broken promises by the government, which had assured that the act would not target journalists — a pledge the resolution claimed had been violated, which was “highly condemnable.”
Furthermore, the resolution called for an urgent review of PECA to ensure it is not misused for political purposes and demanded the immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all legal actions against journalists under this law. They called for a review of the law so that it is not used for “political vendetta.”
Economic challenges faced by journalists were also a major talking point, with calls for clearing unpaid salaries and arrears, and demands for timely payment to media workers.
The closure of Metro TV was condemned, and participants urged the restoration of the channel and the government to provide employment for its displaced workers. The broader financial difficulties faced by media workers due to governmental policies were also highlighted, alongside the need for a safer and economically secure working environment to support the country’s democratic structure.
Prominent journalists and media personalities, including Mazhar Abbas and AH Khanzada, addressed the attendees, emphasising the necessity of a united front among media bodies to combat these challenges and advocate for press freedom.
The gathering also criticised media organisations for failing to pass on the benefits of substantial advertising revenues to media workers, which has contributed to financial instability within the profession. There was a collective call for media professionals to embrace new skills and technologies, particularly in digital media, to mitigate unemployment issues.
