CPNE concerned over Cybercrimes Bill

PESHAWAR: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has expressed concern over the controversial Prevention of Electronic Crimes Bill 2015, deteriorating economic conditions of the newspaper industry, insecurity and curbs on independence of press, and demanded that provincial governments should provide economic protection to national, regional newspapers in particular, and take steps to provide security to the owners and working journalists.

The CPNE standing committee in its meeting held in Peshawar expressed serious concern over the problems faced by national newspapers and magazines, especially small papers of Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

The meeting was presided over by CPNE president Zia Shahid. In view of the reservations and apprehensions over the Cyber Crimes Bill, the meeting decided that a detailed analysis will be done of the bill in collaboration with various media organisations, and legal and constitutional experts so that the articles harmful for freedom of expression could be pointed out.

A unanimous resolution was also passed, expressing deep allegiance with freedom of press and expression, access to information, awareness and basic human rights and stressed responsible use of the rights so that there is no justification for any restrictions on the basic rights.

The resolution also condemned uncontrolled, unethical, unconstitutional, illegal, anti-democracy, anti-social use of freedom of expression and supported suitable legislation and necessary steps to stop them.

The meeting also demanded provincial media act of 2013.

The meeting was attended by secretary-general Aijazul Haq, office-bearers and editors. Provincial information adviser Mushtaq Ghani and secretary information Tahir Hasan also attended the meeting on special invitation.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 23^rd, 2016.