Media Matters for Democracy (MMfD), a non-profit organisation that advocates for media literacy and development, has condemned the Pakistani authorities for shutting down internet and restricting social media access in the wake of violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan.
In a Twitter thread, MMfD said that as per research, internet shutdowns are counterproductive when it comes to curtailing violence and misinformation and added that it causes harm instead of preventing violent actions
The organisation said that besides internet shutdowns becoming markers of deteriorating human rights situations across the globe, they also carry “major economic cost”.
⚠️ The Govt must immediately lift restrictions which are disrupting and preventing citizens from accessing and dissemination information on social media platforms. Access to social media platforms must be restored. 1/5 pic.twitter.com/GRgEjllARu
— Media Matters for Democracy (@mmfd_Pak) May 16, 2023
Deliberate blacking out of social media sites or their throttling stifles free expression and limits people’s ability to connect with their loved ones, access info & verify news. It even limits the ability of journalists to report on & disseminate accurate info to people. 2/5
— Media Matters for Democracy (@mmfd_Pak) May 16, 2023
Internet shutdowns are becoming markers of deteriorating human rights situations across the globe. The carry major economic costs for all sectors, for example disrupting financial transactions. 3/5
— Media Matters for Democracy (@mmfd_Pak) May 16, 2023
The Govt’s decision to suspend mobile broadband services for four days last week led to telecommunication companies experiencing a loss of Rs2.46b reportedly. It even affected the bread and butter of people linked with the IT and e-commerce industry. 4/5
— Media Matters for Democracy (@mmfd_Pak) May 16, 2023
Research has shown that internet shutdowns remain counterproductive in reducing violence and misinformation. They end up causing more harm than preventing violent actions. 5/5
— Media Matters for Democracy (@mmfd_Pak) May 16, 2023
“The Govt’s decision to suspend mobile broadband services for four days last week led to telecommunication companies experiencing a loss of Rs2.46b reportedly. It even affected the bread and butter of people linked with the IT and e-commerce industry,” the statement read.
Urging the government to uplift restrictions on social media platforms, MMfD said “deliberate blacking out of social media sites or their throttling stifles free expression and limits people’s ability to connect with their loved ones, access info & verify news”.
, a non-profit organisation that advocates for media literacy and development, has condemned the Pakistani authorities for shutting down the internet last week and restricting social media access in the wake of violent protests by Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) supporters following the arrest of party chairman Imran Khan.){kind=link}