Islamabad:

Journalists’ Brotherhood observed a black day nationwide on Friday against changes to the Law on the Prevention of Electronic Crimes (PECA) as media workers held protests outside of press clubs, hoisted black flags and bare black bracelets.

All media organs – including Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Pakistan Broadcast Association (PBA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) and All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), joined The protests under the umbrella of the joint action committee (JAC) against the recently adopted PECA change law, what they described as a draconic law intended to trick dissent.

The flurry of protest activities took place across the country with the largest demonstration held outside the National Press Club Islamabad, where journalists raised the Black Flag on the roof of the club, raised slogans against the Peca Law and made fiery speeches criticizing the government for use a law to stifle freedom of expression.

By tackling the protestrally, PFUJ President AFzal Butt Peca Law called a black law, added PFUJ will hold protest meetings on a daily basis and spread the protest movement to any hook and corner of the country. He jumped out of government for making amendments to the PECA law without consulting the bodies of journalists.

Apart from the federal capital, the protest demonstrations were also held in provincial capitals and large cities against the legislation. Journalists also gathered outside Karachi Press Club, Lahore Press Club, Quetta Press Club, Peshawar Press Club, Rawalpindi Press Club, Hyderabad Press Club and Press Clubs in other cities. They hoisted black flags to mark the day. They also raised slogans and held speeches against the government and the law. Journalists’ leaders claimed that the government was trying to tame journalists under the pretext of limiting fake news.

In addition, TV journalists, anchors, and also host their tasks by carrying black bracelets to express resistance to the PECA law. In addition, journalists also made coverage of public and private events by wearing black bracelets.

Despite the insurances on consultations with stakeholders, the federal government bullyed the controversial bill in the National Assembly and then got it approved from the Senate in Haste, who speaks volume of the government’s external motives and poor intentions, Jac said.