Legal Framework for Socially Responsible Social Media Platforms in Pakistan

ABSTRACT This research is aimed to investigate wider phenomenon of possible need for legislation for regulation of social media in Pakistan. In-depth interview research method was applied under Qualitative study to investigate this phenomenon. Overall, 10 respondents from law and media departments from public as well as private sector universities of five main cities were chosen to collect their opinion with the help of 15 structured questionnaire with open ended approach. The study found out that there was no legislation existent for regulation of social media in Pakistan. The study revealed voices were raised from different corners of society including journalistic bodies labelling restriction and embargo on freedom of speech. The study concluded that the government should introduce such legislation after having detailed discussion with relevant stakeholders including public sector media organizations, information departments, law and media departments and other relevant stakeholders. The study concluded that socially responsible legislation was required for socially responsible social media in Pakistan. Purpose: The basic objective of this study was to unearth existing legal framework for regulation of social media in the country at par with the international best standards for regulation of social media. This study was tasked to ascertain the opinion of the relevant stakeholders of social media of public and private sector and recommend socially responsible social media in the country. However, the legislation should equally be acceptable for all the relevant stakeholders to make social media effective with its positive use in the long run. Design/Methodology/Approach: Qualitative study was employed along with in-depth interviews having 15 structured questions with open approach to collect data from 10 respondents from five media and law departments from public and private sector universities. Findings: The results showcased the findings that there was no existent legal framework for regulation of social media in hand. However, in recent past, the federal government has constituted a separate department called National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) to regulate social media as well as investigate online crimes being committed on social media. However, the legislation was unavailable in this regard. The results revealed all the stakeholders can assemble at one point and draw an effective legislation in this regard to make social media socially reasonable. Implications/Originality/Value: This study seems valuable to the extent as it provides a ray of hope to the depressed consumers of social media especially the parents and teachers as the socially responsible legislation may turn social media as positive platforms. This study may also provide guidelines for the future researchers to investigate the phenome at provincial and district level in the country.