Federal Minister Tarar Responds to Fake Video Incident Involving Journalist Benazir Shah
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has publicly condemned the dissemination of a fake video targeting journalist Benazir Shah, labeling the action as "totally una
Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, has publicly condemned the dissemination of a fake video targeting journalist Benazir Shah, labeling the action as "totally unacceptable and highly condemnable." His remarks follow Shah's revelation on the social media platform X regarding the manipulated video, which had been shared by an account that Tarar follows.
Minister Tarar's Commitment
Upon addressing the situation, Tarar emphasized the importance of protecting journalists from intimidation and defamation. "No one has the right to produce or circulate false content or to intimidate journalists," he stated, underscoring the government's obligation to uphold freedom of the press.
Benazir Shah's Response
In her response, Shah reiterated her commitment to journalism despite facing such attacks. "As we’ve said before, we’ll say it again, attacks won't silence us," she declared, reinforcing her stance against online harassment.
Minister Tarar acknowledged that he is subscribed to over 1,900 accounts on X, which does not imply endorsement of their actions, and he assured the public that necessary measures would be taken against those responsible for the false video.
Refusal to Engage with PEC Act
While Shah appreciated Tarar's serious approach to the matter, she declined to pursue the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) via the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). She expressed concerns that these regulatory frameworks have often been weaponized to harass journalists and suppress dissent.
"I appreciate the information minister taking this matter seriously. However, I do not wish to pursue a PECA case through the NCCIA, as this would legitimize a law and institution that have been used to silence private citizens," Shah stated. She urged the government to abolish PECA and the NCCIA, advocating for a more constructive legislative approach that genuinely addresses the concerns of journalists.
