FOR most democracies, the benefits and challenges of social media are increasingly apparent. However, when governments arbitrarily clamp down on internet freedoms, not only is that blatant censorship it is also an infringement of fundamental liberties. In its new report Internet Landscape of Pakistan 2017, Bytes for All Pakistan notes that the real risk to freedom of expression for online activists and journalists, especially those with outspoken, secular and anti-establishment views, emanates from the repressive mindset of the state and non-state actors. Allegedly both groups threaten online users with real-life repercussions, including abductions, enforced disappearances, and blasphemy charges. Monitoring the state of freedom of expression and the restrictions posed by legislative and executive measures in online and offline spaces, the report found an uptick in threats, including rising cybercrimes, increased use of cyber armies (by rival political parties and state actors), enforced disappearances and the misuse of legislation. Amending the draconian Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016, to clearly define cybercrimes is imperative given the growing incidence of arbitrary censorship and offline interrogations and harassment.

It is condemnable that the government turns to Peca to silence progressive voices citing ‘national security’ as justification. With the FIA having a new mandate to fight cybercrime, this move has endorsed online censorship with authoritarian undertones. It is because of this kind of intervention in internet policy that social media activists and journalists were summoned by the investigation agencies for their online expression this year. Safeguarding digital spaces should mean regulating and removing hate content and militant social media handles rather than silencing dissenting views using social and legal vigilantism. Our state must understand the great power of online spaces with potential to institute change of all kinds; even impact the fate of nation states. Committing to upholding free expression is a hallmark of a nation’s democratic credentials — and especially important when access to online spaces is rising to increase the velocity of political expression and activism.

Published in Dawn, December 25th, 2017