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THREATS to journalism in Pakistan, and by extension freedom of expression, continue to rear their head frequently in the online space.
On Thursday, a Twitter campaign was launched under the hashtag #ArrestAntiPakjournalists, with over 28,000 tweets published in a matter of hours.
Consequently, the hashtag trended at number one position in Pakistan for some time.
A cursory look at the content revealed that this was not an organic expression of public sentiment, but rather an orchestrated campaign with a limited set of messages and visuals — including calls to ‘hang’ media persons — being reproduced en masse by dubious accounts, of which the top two identified by Twitter include @IKWarriors and @IKWarrior boasting PTI logos.
Specific targets appeared to be journalists who criticise the government and the military.
This intimidation tactic is blatantly transparent, falls under criminal activity, especially in the case of calls to violence, and yet continues to occur again and again.
Those executing such campaigns operate with impunity, and the perception that arises from the timing of events and the accounts that run them suggest a troubling reason.
Irrespective of whether or not this perception is correct, something must be done to undo the damage such intimidation causes.
Firstly, there is an undeniable chilling effect that accompanies such hostility, leading to greater caution on the part of those targeted, and consequently less free speech when it comes to state matters.
Secondly, it creates a false narrative, misleading the public directly through misinformation within the information broadcast, and indirectly by suggesting this is what people truly think.
Thirdly, while this may not be the intent of those using such scare tactics, their messages may embolden a small minority of individuals to pursue real-world violence against journalists.
Lastly, it creates a bad impression for outsiders seeing such transparent attacks on Pakistani citizens.
It is up to the state to take notice of these activities and to end them quickly and conclusively, or suffer the consequences of allowing online hate speech when it is they who become the target.
Published in Dawn, July 6th, 2019
Comments (53) Closed
How can state notice such events when they themselves are behind the whole episode!
Well justified drive. Arrest all these mir jafars. Free speech is never justified against the state for personal gains.
It's time to trace the calls and find out who is threatening and expose them in broad day light. Pull them on streets and make them utter the names of the ones who order them to threaten civilians. Our tax money is used to enslave us, the ones we provide weapons end up taking over us. This has to stop.
What about free speech in Kashmir
No where in the world free speech means to say what ever you want against state and or its institutions if you do such in US or any other western nation you will disappear to be never heard from ever
The fact is there will be no tangible and sustainable real change until there is revolution. There can be no revolution until there is a purge. Free speech always has limitations. Limits are not necessarily a bad thing, especially in our context. People are sick and tired of old attitudes, perspectives and narratives. The people do not want to return to the pre IK era.
Don't care theses tweeties. This is foreign funders came to ruined society.
Democracy doesn't come cheap. It's price is free speech. Without free freedom of expression it is either a farce or a joke.
What else can one expect when those who are in command and control position of the masses not only give a free hand to the usage of filth and abuse to their followers but also use the same themselves against their opponents both inside and outside the assemblies. Everything for them and their followers is fair and they can go to any extent to get whatever objectives they have in mind.
Virtually,it is an unethical statement against journalists to intimidate them by using illegal words.Public sentiment raises,when some journalists forget their real job as it is necessary to criticise govt & opp to keep them in a straight way as per public requirements but not to defend criminals,especially when matters are on proceedings before courts or have been adjudicated.In simple words this type of intervention of some journalists regarding court matters becomes cause of public sentiment
Why are 99% journalists doing their work freely including the 10% that disagree with every thing the state does?
Disgraceful use of Twitter. But what can be done but educate the public about this kind of hateful commentary...
Gordon D. Walker
Canada
They are not ‘journalists’ but TV show hosts were participants are egged on to abuse each other for higher ratings.
Why would state do anything to curb online intimidation when it is behind all this itself?
1.Freedom of speech is basic pillar of a democratic setup rather voice of the people against the ruling setup making them accountable.But in Pakistan Journalists have taken sides they criticize govt anyhow &show sympathy with their political liking.Good steps taken by the govt for the betterment of the country & people is not being highlighted but dark patches are being pronounced loudly. See the Twitter handle of Journalists & one feels really low when they question every good work of the Govt.
2.The economy of the country is in dire straits & the previous govts are responsible for that.They always looked for short term goals & their main aim has been to win next elections. The journalistic fraternity needs also to grow along the lines as preferences have changed from self-development to country-development. Further the people who need to correct the media system can't do it by asking blood of journalists but by taking the positive criticism along & negative relegated to back burner.
Is that the blogger Salman in the pictures? Most journalists are working freely. It's only the people with malafide intentions and hostile agency's funded propaganda that is, and should be, kept quiet.
What do you expect from a civilian martial law ?
Free speech doesnt mean propagating foreign funded agendas? Does it? That is called advertisement/disinformation campaign. To protect free speech, ppl who run campaigns against free speech as well as ppl who run disinformation campaigns shud b nabbed nd prosecuted.
It was coming as the 2018 elections were orchestrated to have a civilian front so that truly martial law could be imposed. Imran willingly came forward to play the role.
@Haroon Temueri, If free speech is not the thing of the world then you are living on the MARS i believe because we have countries like US and France where people even burn their own flags if their rights got taken (and they are the most progressive one), as it people who build the country, country by it self is noting but declaration of land by number of persons accepted by the rest.
Once Pakistani media has learned to act with responsibility, freedom will automatically find its way in our speech.
If there were no freedom of speech in Pakistan, you couldn't publish this editorial.
@MakeMyTrip, In which?
@Haroon Temueri, obviously you have never been to US or UK. We are more becoming Arab monarchies now
PTI is the MQM at the national level, and Imran Khan is the new Altaf Hussain. His followers are aggressive, repressive, and open to violence.
Last free speech was given by Mr. Jinnah in 1947. since then this word doesn't exist in Pakistan.
The free speech is bound by a sense of personal responsibility.
What is free Speech ? ...Say whatever you like...No. We have to draw a line !
abnormal Advertisement business to media can bring freedom of press environment in the country. Re call the golden days of PML(N) govt and the freedom of press both in electronic and print media
@Jibran, Wonderful depiction
Irrespective of whether or not this perception is correct, something must be done to undo the damage such intimidation causes. _ Fine. Any ideas how to do anything about it?
..... " Lastly, it creates a bad impression for outsiders seeing such transparent attacks on Pakistani citizens." I doubt it. Who in the world is paying attention?
@Haroon Temueri, You, very obviously, have no real knowledge whatsoever of free speech in Western countries.
"I disagree with what you say but I will defend..."
it's a Voltaire quote.
Someone else needs to complete it and share it with everyone. Especially with those who have already hinted at going just as far, if need be, in their anti-Corruption drive.
Individuals who make hate speeches due to a certain agenda should be caught and penalised. If theres no accountability in this case then the consequences will be severe.
@Fastrack, 99%+10%=109%. World knows who r your additional 9% journalists and from where they come.
Wouldn’t the Twitter expressions also fall into the realm of freedom of speech and expression? Wouldn’t it be an act of restricting such freedom if the government was to intervene as being suggested by Dawn?
@talha, As if you don't know who is doing it to you. Even if you could trace their calls, you still wouldn't be able to do anything to them.
unfortunately quite few of our 'journalist' have been bought and sold. hence they do not deserve the same respect as their seniors of yester years.
Let's see how they will silence the millions on social media. Silencing print and electronic media will just push this battle underground.
As if forcefully silencing dissenting voices is the solution to all the problems faced by Pakistan!!
@Zafar Ahmed,
There already is a line. You cannot slander or defame somebody without presenting proof.
You can not accuse somebody of a crime without proving it in court.
Other than that there should be free speech. You will not always like the opinion by others on any given topic, social, religious, political, ideological etc. That doesn't mean the person should be suppressed. You must tolerate different opinions.
No transparent, open and free society, in other words a true democracy, can exist without a free press. A free press is what holds any ruler, government and authority on their toes and holds them accountable scrutinizing their actions and informing us, the public, the voters.
If we persecute and suppress media we become a dictatorship. That's how corruption is born and allowed to spread.
@Haroon Temueri, You obviously have never been in a democratie Western country.
It seems there are some false flags being thrown around to create this stir. Beware that the beneficiaries will be the enemies of Pakistan.
@talha, China also lends money to the institutions to run real estate business and enslave us. It is packaged as development fund, so that tanks can roll from Xinjiang to Gwadar without hindrance (That is us).
@Haroon Temueri, Dearcfrog, Get out of the well !
@Haroon Temueri,
That is simply not true. In the West including the US, Australia, Canada, Europe you can critisize the government even monarchies and even make satire about them. They most certainly do not disappear. Look up the many whistle-blower cases and leak to press. Because any government or leadership is accountable to their voters, the people. You seem to advocate a dictatorship. A true democracy must have a free press. Any government is corrupt when they seek to oppress the press.
@Dr. Malhi,
Unless you can prove "propagating foreign funded agendas" with unbiased evidence than all you have is hollow conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories seem to be a popular way of deflecting justified criticism of the government and state. Unfortunately it won't hold up in court.
People must take to the streets and demand all unelected powers, running the country to be brought to justice.
Never accept 'Shut UP' orders.
Seems in the comments, 80% Pakistanis are against free speech, so there is little hope for freedom or democracy, free and limited contradict each other, only physical violence should be considered as a limit.