ISLAMABAD - Pakistan People’s Party on Monday condemned “the draconian” Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) Ordinance 2021.
PPP Parliamentary Leader in the Senate Sherry Rehman said the disastrous effect that PMDA Ordinance would have on media and freedom of expression was unacceptable.
“First it was PEMRA (Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority) and now this ordinance, actions of intolerance towards independent journalism are constantly increasing under the PTI-led government. Pakistan ranks 145 out of 180 countries on media rights watchdog ‘Reporters Without Borders’ 2021 World Press Freedom Index, and instead of taking action to fix this, the government is trying to push through the PMDA Ordinance 2021, which will act as a tool for institutionalising censorship,” she said in a statement.
She said: “The civil society and media rights groups have termed the ordinance as media martial law. Through this media outlets will either become state mouthpieces or go under.”
The PMDA, she said, would regulate films, electronic, print, and digital media, including Web TV, OTT, and news websites. “Through this ordinance, there are plans to centralise media oversight under one draconian authority, annual NOCs are to remain operational, and suspension/penalties are on their way. There will be no onus on the government to provide warning or rationales for clampdowns,” she added.
The PPP Vice President said access to information was a basic right and depriving people of this just reflects the draconian mindset of the government.