Journalists Oppose PMDA Bill Without Flicking it

The journalists opposing Pakistan Media Development Bill (PMDA) have come under fire for rejecting the proposed authority without knowing its purpose.

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas took to his Twitter account and shared that Karachi Press Club (KPC) asked the information minister to share the draft of the bill before requesting any support.

Karachi Press Club, has asked Information Minister Fawad Choudhry to share the draft of Pakistan Media Development Authority with the stake holders before seeking support. A KPC delegation led by President Fazil Jamili met him where he asked journalists to support PMDA.

— Mazhar Abbas (@MazharAbbasGEO) August 28, 2021

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However, the Twitter users noted that the KPC had been opposing the proposed bill without even reading it.

Are u suggesting that u also don’t have a copy of draft. How come all of u without knowing the contents are accusing the govt of wrong doings.

— javedfida (@javedfida2) August 28, 2021

So you rejected it before even reading it, bhai Waah. pic.twitter.com/7a0aGZYz9h

— Mohsin Akbar Khan (@Mohsin_AK_Khan) August 28, 2021

Many journalists’ bodies have raised concerns about the proposed PMDA.

They are labeling it a draconian law and saying that a similar attempt was made during Ayub Khan’s regime to crush press freedom.