PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has called for a shift in Pakistan’s approach to media control, emphasizing the importance of rights-based policies over restrictive actions. Speaking at a recent event, Bilawal shared his concerns about the government’s increasing desire to control both formal and informal media, highlighting the negative impacts such measures could have on freedom of expression, creativity, and economic activity in the country.
During a wide-ranging address at the prestigious Oxford Union, where world leaders discuss pressing global issues, Bilawal touched on various matters, including Pakistan’s growing media restrictions. The PPP chairman criticized the government’s push to regulate the internet and restrict social media, arguing that the digital age demands a more liberal and inclusive approach rather than one driven by control.
Bilawal has previously expressed his opposition to government policies related to internet regulation, particularly the government’s stance on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and other online freedoms. He has also advocated for the creation of a “Digital Bill of Rights” to ensure that internet access, data protection, and digital freedoms are safeguarded for all Pakistanis.
“Access to the internet should be considered a fundamental right, just as the right to a clean environment was declared a fundamental right in the 26th amendment,” Bilawal said in a December 2024 statement. He emphasized the need for affordable, equitable, and high-speed internet access as a crucial component of the modern digital economy.
At the Oxford Union, Bilawal elaborated on the increasing pressures faced by the media and internet users in Pakistan. He stated, “There is this urge to control, not just the formal media but the informal media, which is getting a little bit draconian and claustrophobic.” He described this desire for control as a reflection of a “generational disconnect” in Pakistan, with policymakers, particularly those in power, struggling to understand the dynamics of social media and the digital age. According to Bilawal, a large portion of the population, 65 percent, is under the age of 35, and any attempt to curb access to popular platforms like WhatsApp or slow down services such as Netflix would alienate a significant part of the country’s youth.
“If you suddenly take 65% of the population’s WhatsApp away, or slow down their Netflix streaming, you are suddenly antagonizing 65% of the population,” Bilawal said, stressing that such actions would not only stifle creativity but also disrupt economic activity by hindering digital entrepreneurship. He further argued that a rights-based approach, including the protection of internet freedoms, would better serve the public than government-imposed restrictions.
Bilawal’s call for a “Digital Bill of Rights” aims to provide a framework that guarantees essential digital freedoms such as internet access, privacy protection, and free speech online. He acknowledged that the bill would not solve all the challenges facing the digital landscape, but emphasized the need to transition away from a mindset that seeks to control the internet to one that prioritizes user rights.
“Ultimately, we just have to move away from this desire to control everything, everyone’s opinion, everyone’s tweet, every headline,” he said. “You can’t conquer the media, and you certainly can’t conquer digital media,” Bilawal added, describing the shift in policy as the “software update” Pakistan’s government needs to adopt in the 21st century.
In response to a question about government-backed intimidation and media suppression, Bilawal expressed his support for a parliamentary commission to investigate the issue. He emphasized the importance of accountability and transparency in addressing the growing concerns about media freedom in Pakistan, reaffirming his commitment to advocating for a freer, more open media landscape.
Bilawal’s statements reflect a broader global conversation about the balance between government regulation, media freedom, and digital rights, as countries worldwide continue to grapple with how to manage the complexities of the digital age while protecting individual freedoms. His advocacy for a Digital Bill of Rights aims to ensure that the benefits of the internet and social media are accessible to all, without fear of censorship or government interference.