ISLAMABAD: Speakers and thinkers lamented about the lack of discourse relating to online freedoms in Pakistan, especially with the rise of hate speech and disinformation against vulnerable and at-risk communities in the country.
The speakers shared these views in a conference organized by the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) titled ‘Countering Digital Threats and Building Resilience of Communities’ here on Friday. The event brought together experts and thinkers from across the country with two panels that highlighted DRF’s engagements and redressal mechanisms available in Pakistan for at-risk communities in Pakistan.
Addressing the conference, former Senator Farhatullah Babar said, “The discussion around the digital divide was very timely in light of the upcoming elections.” He further said that, in the past, media played a significant role in elections, and online disinformation was a very alarming issue. Babar added that it was very important to consider all stakeholders’ complicity in the online disinformation campaign. He stressed that the Election Commission of Pakistan should develop a code of conduct for media houses that is focused on combating disinformation on social media.
Conference Highlights Challenges for Religious Minorities
Earlier in the opening remarks, Seerat Khan, Programs Lead at DRF, highlighted the particular vulnerabilities that religious minorities face in the country, especially with respect to rising hate speech and disinformation. Another speaker and Executive Director at Digital Rights Foundation, Nighat Dad, in her remarks, said, “we are worried about the increase in hate speech and harmful content related to the minorities in the upcoming elections.
She added that the issue was fear of being multiplied with the usage of AI and generative AI, which is quite concerning. The Election Commission and government institutions are required to address this and include hate speech in the code of conduct for political parties that the Commission is developing, she added.
Another speaker, Dr. Ayra Patras, said that it was unfortunate that religious minority communities were ostracized in real life as well as via digital and online platforms. We see more hate speech, and there are no recompense mechanisms in place that actually work.” She added that the social discrimination faced by these communities germinates into social exclusion, and the consequences are far-reaching and become entrenched in real life.
The second panel of the event was on ‘Bridging the Digital Divide: Ensuring Equal Access for All, ‘ which was moderated by Programs Lead Seerat Khan. NCHR Member Minorities Manzoor Masih, Former Senator Farahtullah Baber, Community Leader and Activist Sunil Gulzar Khan, and Cyber Harassment Helpline Manager Hyra Basit joined the panel. The panel addressed mechanisms required to ensure safe spaces for at-risk communities, particularly in light of the upcoming elections and the need for community building and resilience.
