ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) on Saturday asked whether law existed to regulate the contents of the YouTube broadcasts and whether they come under the ambit of cybercrimes law.

The question was asked by Justice Athar Minallah while hearing the matter related to the discussion of sub-judice matters in television programmes. IHC asked as if there is any law that regulate the YouTube broadcast or video blog. He also asked whether those who run the YouTube channel may be dealt with under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).

Prominent anchorperson Hamid Mir replied that such material comes under the ambit of the cybercrime law. He said that the Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Media Authority (Pemra) is planning to introduce a draconian law to regulate social media content.

The chief justice remarked that the draconian laws hamper freedom of expression more than anything else.

Justice Minallah also pointed out that a pending petition claimed that there was no regulator for the reporters of electronic or print media as a result their number has increased manifold.

The court then asked about the proposal from the amici regarding the coverage of sub-judice matters.

Advocate Kashif Ali Malik, representing the court reporters, said the court might define certain parameters for such coverage.

He submitted some written suggestions before the court and sought some time to prepare a comprehensive report in this regard.

Senior journalists Mohammad Ziauddin and Javed Jabbar also filed report before the court.

The court asked the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists and the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors to submit proposal by March 7 and adjourned the hearing till then.

Published in Dawn, February 2nd, 2020