The ruling Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) has decided to amend the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) law, and has handed over the legal draft to the Pakistan People’s Party (PPP).
As per details, PML-N has proposed a punishment of over ten years for spreading fake news, a suggestion that the PPP did not agree with. Despite the disagreement over the proposed sentence, both parties have reached an agreement on certain aspects of the PECA law, particularly regarding the control of social media.
Under the expected legislation, a new authority will be established to regulate social media. This social media regulatory authority will determine fake news and will be empowered with the authority to impose punishments of up to three years in prison and fines for those found guilty of spreading fake news.
