Fawad Chaudhry, the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting recently revealed that the government is all set on regulating the use of social media in the country. He was speaking in the aftermath of the TLP protests, stating that there was a need to bring social media use under the law and not leave it unchecked.
Fawad added that with fake notifications and fake news on the rise, and that too with fake social media accounts, he believes that there is an urgent need to take care of this menace.
After the government and protesters reached an agreement during the weekend, with the protests over Asia Bibi’s acquittal more or less over, the Information Minister warned that the state will not tolerate acts of “rebellion, which took place recently and caused damage to public property.”
“The Constitution and law of the state were insulted. This act is hard to forgive.” – Fawad Chaudhry
The new body, Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority will also have powers to monitor social media. Fawad Chaudhry mentioned this while speaking at a panel “There is no Truth: Only Narrative”.
Fawad is of the view that private TV channels broadcast many news items during the day, and some of those breaking news turn out to be fake later. He said that even though Pakistan is an open country, this needs to be checked.
The federal minister also shared that in developed countries, they have the means and the authority to control social media. These countries should also realize the impact that social media is having on less developed countries, where it has the potential to cause major havoc.