Strongly rejecting the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) Amendment Ordinance, Media Joint Action Committee Monday walked out from the meeting of the Information Ministry in protest.

According to the 24News HD TV channel, the Media Committee termed the meeting of the Ministry of Information a drama and said ordinances against freedom of expression are passed and the impression is being given that the media community is being contacted.

The Joint Action Committee said that there were many instances where the Ministry of Information was distorting the freedom of speech and restricting the right of journalists to report.

The Committee said the Ministry of Information is financially weakening the media to influence journalism but all media organizations are united in protecting freedom of expression and the right to information of the people.

The Committee has announced that it will suspend talks until the Draconian Amendments are withdrawn.

It may be recalled that the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), All Pakistan Newspaper Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), and representatives of the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) are included in the Media Joint Action Committee.

The journalists' organizations had in a joint statement yesterday rejected the ordinance.