The National Assembly Secretariat has banned the unauthorized entry of YouTubers, TikTokers and other social media 'influencers' in the premises of Parliament House.
According to an announcement, the decision has been taken in the wake of an incident of “misbehavior with [lawmakers] by some unauthorised YouTubers/social media influencers at Gate No. 1 of Parliament House” on 23 December last year.
The incident, it said, was also conveyed to the Press Reporters Association (PRA), which then claimed it was only responsible for its members, and distanced itself from the YouTubers and social media influencers.
PRA secretary general Asif Bashir Chaudhry said they did not support any kind of ban on citizen journalists, and the PRA believed that not just journalists, but each and every citizen of Pakistan, enjoyed freedom of expression.
The National Assembly Secretariat also decided that entry of only those reporters, journalists, and media personnel would be allowed who are associated with accredited media organizations and hold a validly issued registration card from their employer or parent media organisation.
The new development is not a blanket ban on YouTubers, TikTokers and assorted social media 'influencers'. Those who are interested to cover parliamentary proceedings may accredit themselves with the Press Information Department (PID), and must have a valid session card to be allowed entry into the Parliament House.
According to an announcement, the decision has been taken in the wake of an incident of “misbehavior with [lawmakers] by some unauthorised YouTubers/social media influencers at Gate No. 1 of Parliament House” on 23 December last year.
The incident, it said, was also conveyed to the Press Reporters Association (PRA), which then claimed it was only responsible for its members, and distanced itself from the YouTubers and social media influencers.
PRA secretary general Asif Bashir Chaudhry said they did not support any kind of ban on citizen journalists, and the PRA believed that not just journalists, but each and every citizen of Pakistan, enjoyed freedom of expression.
The National Assembly Secretariat also decided that entry of only those reporters, journalists, and media personnel would be allowed who are associated with accredited media organizations and hold a validly issued registration card from their employer or parent media organisation.
The new development is not a blanket ban on YouTubers, TikTokers and assorted social media 'influencers'. Those who are interested to cover parliamentary proceedings may accredit themselves with the Press Information Department (PID), and must have a valid session card to be allowed entry into the Parliament House.