Journalist Benazir Shah has condemned an AI-generated deepfake video of her that was shared on X (formerly Twitter) by an account followed by Information Minister Attaullah Tarar.
Shah wrote on X that an account had “made an AI video of me” and shared a clip falsely described as a “leaked video” of her “dancing in a club in London.”
They journalist responded with a strong determination that “But as we’ve said before, we’ll say it again: #AttacksWontSilenceUs.”
Minister Attaullah Tarar publicly reacted and called the act “totally unacceptable and highly condemnable.”
He wrote “Nobody has the right to make fake videos and then disseminate them or try to harass any journalist by defaming them.”
Tarar clarified that he follows “more than 1,900 accounts” on X and added “I do not condone the behaviour of this account and also assure you that action will be taken.”
Benazir shah responded to the remarks of information minister that “I appreciate the information minister taking this matter seriously.” However, she refused to file the case under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) via the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA).
She argued that “doing so would lend legitimacy to a law and an institution that have been used to harass journalists, silence private citizens, and suppress dissent.”
Shah urged the government that “if the minister and his government are serious about ensuring safety for journalists and citizens, they should scrap Peca and the NCCIA and begin a genuine consultation process to draft legislation that truly addresses journalists’ concerns.”
Several journalists expressed solidarity
Asad Ali Toor termed it a “shameful and disgusting campaign” and pointed out that “all political parties have their own pool of dirt which they time to time launch against their critics.”
Journalist Meher Bokhari said, “This is not who we were meant to become,” adding that whether it’s harassment of Shahzeb Khanzada or fake AI videos of Benazir Shah, “none of it reflects who we are.” She reminded followers that “character is what you choose to keep intact when everything around you falls apart.”
The episode has renewed concern about deepfakes, online harassment, and the misuse of cybercrime laws against journalists in Pakistan.
Advent of deepfake generating AI platforms available at meagre prices to a general public has renewed concern about online harassment against journalists in Pakistan, especially female journalists.
