PECA to curb fake news, says Atta Tarar

Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar said that the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) will ensure the freedom of speech.Addressing a ceremony in Lahore, the information minister said that PECA is meant to discourage the fake news.”There is no check or editorial control on digital media. The PECA has been introduced after thorough deliberations,” Tarar said.He added that the notables from the private sector would be included in the Digital Media Protection Authority.He said the purpose of PECA is to provide protection to journalists and eliminate incidents of harassment.We’ll consult the press clubs and other unions of journalists to take their input for the said authority, he added.The minister said that PTV, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation and Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) are being digitized through the use of the latest technology.He said that the reform process has been introduced in all these institutions. He added that a digital department has been established recently, which has been incorporated with Artificial Intelligence.