New Digital Media Bill Proposes Strict Penalties for Obscene Content

A new piece of legislation titled the Prohibition of Obscenity and Vulgarity on Digital Media Bill 2025 is expected to be tabled in the upcoming session of the National Assembly. The bill, introduced by PPP lawmaker Dr. Syeda Shahida Rehmani, aims to regulate online content deemed obscene and proposes fines ranging from Rs100,000 to Rs1 billion.

The draft defines both “digital media” and “prohibited content” broadly, covering online and offline platforms, social media networks, streaming services, apps, and websites. The scope extends to images, videos, audio, films, web series, dramas, music, short clips, live broadcasts, advertisements, and other multimedia formats available on digital platforms.

According to the bill, prohibited material includes explicit conversations, depiction of extramarital affairs, indecent or revealing attire, drug-related content, acts considered immoral, attacks on public morality, disrespect towards religious symbols or values, mockery of hijab, purdah, or the family system, and content seen as undermining Pakistan’s ideology or cultural traditions.

The legislation proposes the creation of three institutions — an authority, a regulatory board, and a tribunal — to enforce its provisions. Investigations would be handled by the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), while prosecution would proceed under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.

The regulatory board will comprise eight members, including two religious scholars (male and female), two psychologists, a female civil society representative, a media legal expert, a media professional tasked with seizing prohibited content, and a federal government representative as chairperson.

The tribunal would consist of three members: an individual qualified for appointment as a high court judge, a media professional, and an IT expert, who would hear and rule on digital media–related cases.

The board’s powers will include banning prohibited material, initiating suo motu actions, recommending penalties, and suggesting amendments to existing rules. The authority will then act upon its recommendations.

The proposed penalties range from one year in prison and a Rs500,000 fine for a first-time offense, to three years imprisonment and a Rs5 million fine for repeat violations. Offenses involving religion, women, children, or family values could carry up to five years in prison along with a Rs10 million fine.

Digital media platforms and service providers will also face obligations under the law. They must report all uploaded content in Pakistan to the board within 15 days, remove prohibited material within 24 hours of being notified, and preserve relevant records for at least three years. Failure to comply may result in fines — Rs50 million for the first violation, Rs100 million for the second — while repeated breaches could lead to license cancellation and service suspension.

All offenses under the bill will be categorized as non-bailable and non-compoundable. The proposal is likely to be referred to the relevant standing committee before being put to a vote in the National Assembly.

The PECA Act 2016, which currently governs cybercrime, was originally passed to address issues such as hacking, data theft, and online harassment. However, journalists and rights groups have long criticized its misuse to stifle press freedom and free speech.

Commenting on the new bill, senior journalist Mazhar Abbas of the PFUJ remarked, “The government must reflect on past mistakes, since the very law passed hastily in 2016 was later used against the party that had introduced it.”