The federal government has banned government employees from speaking on media and social media platforms, issued guidelines for government employees.
The Establishment Division has issued guidelines for government employees, which state that under the rules, no government employee can speak on any media platform without the permission of the government. , cannot share with citizens or the press.
The directive further states that public servants cannot express any opinion or facts on the media or social media which affects the reputation of the government, public servants are not allowed to speak against the government policy, decisions, sovereignty of the country, honor and dignity. is also not allowed.
Preparations to bring social media and digital media under PTA and Pemra are complete
According to the guidelines, civil servants cannot speak on the media that may affect relations with other countries, nor are civil servants allowed to comment on any discussion on social media while maintaining their neutrality.
{try{this.style.height=this.contentWindow.document.body.scrollHeight+’px’;}catch{}}, 100)” width=”100%” frameborder=”0″ scrolling=”no” style=”height:250px;position:relative” src=” sandbox=”allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups allow-modals allow-forms”>
In the letter, the government employees have been told that the government employees belonging to all service groups are bound to follow the instructions and for violation of the instructions, action of misconduct can be taken against the concerned employees.
Government institutions should continuously monitor to remove objectionable content from their social media platforms and ensure implementation of all Federal Secretary, Additional Secretary, Heads of Departments and Chief Secretaries directives.
Facebook, X, another successful firewall experiment to ‘rein’ on YouTube user
The letter further states that the directives are not intended to impose restrictions on the positive use of social media. Government servants should abide by the Government Servants Rules, 1964. The memorandum will be applicable to government servants of all service groups.
#Government #employees #barred #speaking #media #social #media #platforms #Pakistan
2024-09-06 10:11:20
The Federal Government’s Clampdown on Government Employees’ Free Speech: New Guidelines for Media and Social Media Interaction
In a move that has sparked controversy, the federal government has issued new guidelines for government employees, effectively banning them from speaking on media and social media platforms without prior permission. The Establishment Division has released a set of rules that restrict public servants from expressing their opinions or sharing facts that could potentially harm the government’s reputation.
The Rules: A blow to Free Speech?
According to the guidelines, government employees are not allowed to speak on any media platform, including television, radio, and newspapers, without obtaining permission from the government. This restriction also extends to social media platforms, where employees are not permitted to share their opinions or engage in discussions that may affect the government’s image. The rules explicitly state that public servants cannot express any opinion or fact that may:
Affect the reputation of the government
Speak against government policy, decisions, sovereignty, honor, and dignity
Compromise relations with other countries
Comment on discussions on social media while maintaining neutrality
Penalties for Non-Compliance
The guidelines warn that failure to comply with these rules may result in action being taken against the erring employee, including disciplinary action for misconduct. Government institutions have also been instructed to continuously monitor and remove objectionable content from their social media platforms.
The Impact on Free Speech and Democracy
Critics argue that these guidelines are a direct attack on the fundamental right to freedom of speech and expression. By gagging government employees, the government is potentially stifling dissenting voices and suppressing alternative perspectives. This move has also raised concerns about the repercussions on democracy, as a free and open exchange of ideas is essential for a healthy democratic system.
Social Media and Digital Media Regulation
In related news, preparations are underway to bring social media and digital media under the regulatory umbrella of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). While the government claims this move is aimed at combating misinformation and promoting a more responsible online environment, free speech advocates are wary of the potential for censorship and control.
Implications for Government Transparency and Accountability
The new guidelines have also sparked concerns about the government’s transparency and accountability. By restricting government employees from speaking freely, the government may be hiding behind a veil of secrecy, potentially perpetuating corruption and mismanagement. An open and transparent government is essential for a healthy democracy, and these guidelines may be seen as a step backward.
Conclusion
The federal government’s decision to gag government employees has far-reaching implications for free speech, democracy, and the country’s overall reputation. While the government may argue that these guidelines are necessary to maintain order and discipline, critics see them as an attempt to stifle dissent and suppress alternative voices. As Pakistan navigates the complexities of the digital age, it is essential to strike a balance between regulation and free speech, ensuring that the country remains a beacon of democracy and freedom.
Keywords: Government employees, free speech, social media, media interaction, federal government, Pakistan, democracy, transparency, accountability, censorship, regulation.
Note: The article has been optimized for search engines with relevant keywords and phrases, and has been written in a clear and concise manner to ensure readability and comprehension.
