PMDA, DMW disbanded: How will new govt counter anti-Pakistan propaganda?
The previous PTI government had made the PMDA solely responsible for the regulation of print, broadcast and digital media in Pakistan which drew heavy criticism.
The new government led by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) has disbanded the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) and Digital Media Wing set up by the previous government, raising questions about the new steps to counter anti-Pakistan propaganda.
In this digital era, the war of narratives is a crucial tool for any state which cannot be fought without a strong digital media network.
Among the political parties, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) has proved itself for having the strongest grip on the digital media front which defeated its political rival in the war of the narratives and later countered the global propaganda against Pakistan.
On the other hand, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif-led PML-N government has immediately shut the information ministry’s Digital Media Wing after coming into power. The latest move raised questions regarding the necessary steps for countering the anti-state narratives and propaganda.
After assuming her office, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced to disbanding Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) on Tuesday, saying that a black law would be enacted which restricts the constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Unveiling the new government’s plan, Aurangzeb detailed that a joint action committee comprising all stakeholders, including media organisations, would meet to discuss the media’s problems and find a workable solution.
Regarding the ‘black law’ of Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance(PECA) 2022, she said that the newly appointed Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had decided to review the Peca law introduced in 2016 in consultation with all stakeholders.
The Digital Media Wing had been established by the PTI government to fight the fifth general hybrid war from India and global propaganda against Pakistan.
Experts said that the step to disband PMDA and DMW provided an opportunity for India and other states run propaganda against Pakistan, making propagation against the nuclear program, Balochistan and Kashmir the soft targets in the war of the narratives.
The present government has given no alternative solution for the digital media front after disbanding the PMDA and DMW.
The DMW had not only resisted the Indian propaganda against Balochistan and tribal areas during the last 3.5 years but also highlighted the PTI government’s performance effectively.
Moreover, the PTI also used the digital media wing to divert public opinion in its favour even after losing the power besides utilising digital platforms to take the people to the streets through a powerful hashtag of ‘no to imported government]. It was learnt that the new government is reluctant to work with the specialised digital media experts from the DMW of the previous government.
The importance of digital media can be ascertained as the senior journalists and renowned TV anchorpersons including Talat Hussain, Saleem Safi, Mansoor Ali Khan and others are moved to digital media platforms including YouTube channels to reach maximum people to project their opinions.
