Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy (FDRD)
Our series of consultations on the UNESCO Guidelines for the Governance of Digital Platforms in 2024 have confirmed that there is a need and strong demand from the civil society, academia, and media that there should be consistent and sustained advocacy to protect and promote the digital rights of Pakistani citizens, including their freedom of expression and their access to information and diverse cultural content, while also providing alternative and rights-respecting solutions to address issues of online disinformation, hate speech and threats to data privacy and protection.
The current regulatory environment regarding Internet and social media also necessitates a persistent and collaborative effort from rights holders to make sure that regulations are not misused to infringe on fundamental freedoms.
Based on this expression of needs and demand, with the support of International Media Support (IMS), we launched a formal multi-stakeholder advocacy group called the Forum for Digital Rights and Democracy (FDRD). The FDRD will work towards three main objectives:
- Facilitate and develop multistakeholder consensus in Pakistan about the protection and promotion of digital rights and governance of the Internet and digital platforms
- Raise public awareness and generate public support for digital rights as fundamental human rights of citizens and promote media and information literacy
- Conduct advocacy with government and other stakeholders to ensure that the regulatory framework and practices regarding Internet governance and cyberspace are respectful of the fundamental freedoms of citizens and in line with international human rights law
Below is media coverage of FDRD efforts and initiatives:
● YouTube channel ban sparks outcry from legal, digital rights groups
Published on July 10, 2025
Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/amp/1923172
● Stakeholders highlight gaps in the AI regulatory framework
Published on June 24, 2025
Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/1919611
● Partnerships between stakeholders are imperative for better AI policy in Pakistan
Published on June 24, 2025
● Absence of a functional data protection law in the digital age increases vulnerability to surveillance and data breaches
Published on May 19, 2025
● The absence of data protection law in the digital age increases vulnerability.
Published on May 19, 2025
● Govt asked to take notice of threats to Munizae
Published on February 07,2025
Link: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1280186-govt-asked-to-take-notice-of-threats-to-munizae
● Democracy Forum Condemns Threats Against Journalist Munizae Jahangir
Published on February 06, 2025
Link: https://tnnenglish.com/democracy-forum-condemns-threats-against-journalist-munizae-jahangir
● Peca changes spark media outcry:
Published on January 30, 2025
Link: https://www.dawn.com/news/1888569/peca-changes-spark-media-outcry
● Journalists and activists rally against the Peca amendment
Published on January 29, 2025
Link: https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/1277311-journalists-activists-rally-against-peca-amendment
● Digital Rights Forum warns of threat to free speech under PECA (Amendment) Act, 2025
Published on January 28, 2025