Fawad announces 'crackdown' against hate speech on social media

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Wednesday announced to launch a ‘crackdown’ in few weeks against people spreading hatred and  extremist narrative on social media, ARY News reported.

“A mechanism has been devised to control social media. Hate is being spread through fake social media accounts,” Fawad Chaudhry told a news conference adding that some people using social media for issuing edicts were arrested.

He said some people believe that they had the right to express their opinion beyond any limit, which was not true. “We have laws in this regard,” he warned.

The information minister said the government had to stop hate speech now.

“We have come out of unconventional conflicts, now enforcement of relevant laws will be ensured to ensure rule of law,” added Chaudhry.

Read More: Govt to regulate Web TV, social media platforms: Fawad

Fawad Chaudhry said the government had, to a certain degree, controlled spread of hate on media.

He said Pakistan had given immense sacrifices in the war on terror and in the next phase the government will further consolidate the gains made against terrorism by not allowing those resorting to hate speeches.

“Pakistani nation has almost overcome the menace of terrorism. This has been made possible by the resilience of the nation,” he said.

The information minister also said the government was also establishing Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority which will provide one window facility to all the media outlets, including print media, electronic media and digital media, and ensure enforcement of related regulations.