THE PREVENTION OF ELECTRONIC CRIMES ACT (PECA) AND DIGITAL NEWS REPORTING IN PAKISTAN

Abstract

Initially passed in 2016 as among the most effective tools of media control, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 has proven to be one of the most influential tools of media control in Pakistan. The article reports on a primary field survey of 200 journalists within three different districts Sargodha, Khushab and Islamabad between January and April 2026. Using a structured questionnaire methodology with the added value of in-depth qualitative interviews, the study examines how the provisions of PECA have transformed the daily news-gathering procedures and editorial decision-making processes, as well as the psychological well-being of working news journalists in urban federal and rural Punjab settings. The findings show the alarming rates of self-censorship (78%), the fear of being prosecuted by the law (81%), the lack of coverage of sensitive issues (74%), and the fact that almost everyone fears reporting on social media. These results are placed within the context of broader national press freedom crisis that have been reported by Freedom Network, Reporters Without Borders (RSF) and the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ). The article suggests that PECA no longer represents a cybersecurity law but is now a method to suppress democratic processes by working journalists in Pakistan, and it is time to urgently reform the law and provide an independent judiciary and enhanced protection of working journalists in Pakistan.