Pakistan, Feb. 4 -- Lately, Pakistan has seen a surge in the spread of fake news largely fueled by social media platforms. As the nation grapples with this growing issue, the government has moved to address it with legal amendments to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA). Although these changes are aimed at curbing the harmful effects of misinformation, they have sparked intense debate about their potential impact on freedom of expression and journalism. The issue at hand involves finding a delicate balance between protecting the public from the dangers of fake news while ensuring that the freedoms essential to a democratic society remain intact.

Social media platforms such as Facebook, X, YouTube and WhatsApp have become prima...