The federal government will review its decision to regulate social media in the country.

This was decided at a party meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday.

The prime minister issued directives to the Information Technology Ministry to amend the social medial regulatory rules.

The reaction of social media companies including YouTube and Facebook also came under discussion during the meeting. The government spokespersons should inform the public about the government narrative through press conferences and other sources, the PM told.

Prime Minister Imran tasked former Punjab spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill with preparing recommendations pertaining to media structure in the country.

Social Media Authority set up

On February 11, 2020, the Information Technology Ministry set up an authority to regulate social media companies. The IT ministry introduced rules for the online protection of its citizens.

Under the proposed rules, all the social media companies including Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, Daily Motion and others must get themselves registered in Pakistan within three months. All the social media companies are supposed to establish their office in the capital, Islamabad.

Under the new rules, the companies are bound to hire local Pakistani focal persons. Action will be initiated against a company if it fails to remove objectionable material within six hours of the complaint.

This news is based on Awais Kiyani’s report.

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