Sindh to rein in 'misleading' social media content

KARACHI:

The Sindh government has decided to take measures to curb the spread of negative and misleading propaganda on social media, with a proposal to establish a provincial-level monitoring cell, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said on Wednesday.

The decision was taken during a meeting of the Information Department chaired by Sharjeel Memon. The meeting was attended by Secretary Information Kashif Gulzar Shaikh, Director General Information Moez Pirzada, and other senior officials.

Participants reviewed strategies to counter what officials described as coordinated campaigns spreading misinformation and content deemed harmful to national interests on social media platforms.

"Certain elements are attempting to spread misleading information against the country and national interests," said Sharjeel, stressing that effective legal action against those involved was necessary.

He said the government is considering the establishment of a dedicated provincial cell to monitor and curb cybercrime and misinformation.

While reaffirming that freedom of expression is a constitutional right, the senior minister said that it could not be used as a cover for spreading false and misleading propaganda. "Timely and effective countermeasures against fake news and negative propaganda are the need of the hour," he said.

Sharjeel added that the Sindh government would take all possible steps to safeguard national interests and promote the dissemination of accurate information.