There’s one message from PTA that’s been circulating for most of today and it’s raising a lot of questions.
Around the middle of the day, people started getting these text messages from Pakistan Telecommunication Authority. They’re apparently being sent to control blasphemous content on social media.
The initiative is certainly good as it aims to control people from going rogue like they’ve usually been doing recently
Recent events in the country are actually a cause for concern because people have taken matters into hands without having proof of blasphemy. So considering that, this message from PTA seems like it’s a good initiative.
While it’s good that finally the government is taking steps to control and keep an eye on social media regarding blasphemous content, the procedure still seems a little ambiguous. People could start reporting someone for alleged blasphemy when there actually really isn’t, just like they do in the physical world.
In such circumstances, the actual event might just go under the rug and such things still keep on happening leaving the government thinking about the facts of the event.
Pakistanis actually have a lot of concerns about freedom of speech regulation through these messages
Where should we draw the line? What the other person finds offensive and what doesn’t?
#PTA please expalin "blasphemous content in detail, so that I can understand the limits of my freedom of expression properly#PEMRA pic.twitter.com/BY9Bo5YW82
— Asad Gopayra (@GOPAYRA) May 9, 2017
Nevertheless, it’s good that government is finally realizing that things are getting out of their hand. But there are mixed reactions of people on receiving this text message:
Some don’t seem hopeful that this is going to change things:
Meanwhile…
Can't get over actively looking for blasphemous content now can we. Literally "chirag ley k dhoondna" #PTA #insane pic.twitter.com/rhjHIzioJg— Maheen Fatima (@MaheenFatima7) May 9, 2017
Just got this msg from #PTA. Spread the word agar apko farak parhta hai. Warna koi nai aglee tweet check karo pic.twitter.com/hdNPcFOwu9
— Baby Elephant (@FalaniDhimkani) May 9, 2017
Kia takleef hai #PTA pic.twitter.com/MPTCAZZ4yK
— OhSoWeird (@weirdtobe) May 9, 2017
Bolna kya chah rhy hyn ye #PTA waly bewaqoof ? pic.twitter.com/cGLycdhPII
— hijabi? (@18Smartygirl) May 9, 2017
My reply! Report this MF #PTA pic.twitter.com/WXisXMf2nZ
— Omar Qureshi (@OmarQureshi9) May 9, 2017
But there are others who’re lauding PTA for actually just taking the first step
Finally Something Good #PTA pic.twitter.com/gjRTtXog1A
— Arrhythmia ?? (@IAhmadSays) May 9, 2017
Let’s just hope that this changes things on a level that will actually work out to root out such situation before we lose another life. But at the same time, freedom of speech is a precious right, one that is at a threat by states wanting to control the digital domain and regulate people’s speech there. As long as people are safe from false allegations of blasphemy, this mass text effort is laudable.