Fake News ordinance 2022 PECA act 2016

 

President of Pakistan Dr. Arif Alvi today passed the Pakistan Electronic act 2022 an ordinance related to Electronic Crimes and passed a few amendments in its various sections. The main thing is that the definition of the person has been defined in this amendment. The penalties were also revised for the person/individual accused of promoting fake News either on Social media or mainstream media. 

What is PECA?

This act is known as the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, passed in 2016. but it has been amended from time to time in the past. The new amendment passed is as known as Pakistan Electronic Act. 

The matter of the ordinance issued recently is as follows:

Amendment of section 20, Act XL of 2016.- 

In the PECA Act, in section 20,

(a) In the marginal heading, the word "natural" shall be omitted;

(b) in sub-section 

1) the words "natural" shall be omitted and for the word "three" the word "five" shall be substituted;

2) and for colon at the end, a full stop shall be substituted and thereafter the provision shall be omitted;

(C) after sub-section (1), amended as aforesaid, the following new sub-section shall be inserted, namely:

"(1A) The informant or complainant in respect of offense under sub-section (1) shall be an aggrieved person, his authorized representative, or his guardian, where such person is a minor or a member of the public in respect of a public figure or a holder of public office."; and

(d) in sub-section (2), for the expression "Any aggrieved person or his guardian, where such person is a minor.", the expression "Any aggrieved person, his authorized representative, or his guardian, where such person is a minor or a member of the public in respect of a public figure or a holder of public office" shall be substituted.

3. Amendment of section 43, PECA Act XL of 2016.-

 In the said Act, in section 43,

(a) in sub-section (1), after the expression "10.", the expression "20," shall be inserted; and

(b) in sub-section (2), after the expression "10,", the expression "20," shall be inserted.

PECA ACT ORDINANCE 2022

After this new amendment  in PECA act 2016 made on February 20,2022 the following changes will be imposed upon:

The law doesn't restrict the media However to contain the issue of Fake News in the country and to protect the lives of a common person, no one shall be exempted from punishment for spreading fake news. 

The person who spread the fake news will be jailed for 5 years and will not get bail. However, the case hearing shall be completed in 6 months. If no decision is made then the high court shall ask for the reason from the concerned Judge.

According to law minister Farogh Naseem: Media can criticize but there should be no fake news.