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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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World Press Freedom Day
PAKISTAN MEDIA COMES OF AGE DESPITE RISING VIOLENCE |
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5 journalists killed, 17 arrested, 61 injured, 27 harassed, 11 attacks on media property, 16 cases of gag orders, Annual State of Pakistan Media Report 2006-07 released by Intermedia. The analysis covers the period from May 03 2006 to May 03 2007. The report is available at its website.
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http://www.intermedia.org.pk |
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World Press Freedom Day today | Media still fighting for freedom |
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110 journalists murdered last year around the world
World Press Freedom Day reminds the governments and human rights organisations of the crucial role which a free press plays in strengthening democracies and fostering the development process around the world. This year in Pakistan the day is being observed by journalists and media organisations with hope that a day will come in the country when the press will be completely free to point out the flaws in the governance with the aim of setting things right. Elsewhere in the world, the day would be marked in a similar fashion. Ill-conceived and wrong government policies would be underlined and negative outcomes highlighted.
(Express-8)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3633&catid=3 |
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Press freedom declines in Pakistan |
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Press freedom has significantly deteriorated in Russia, Pakistan and Egypt in the last five years, a leading watchdog said Wednesday, cataloguing government crackdowns and the killing of reporters. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists identified 10 countries where freedom of the press had slipped most since 2002, with Ethiopia leading a hall of shame that also ranked Cuba, Morocco and Thailand.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IntNewsT.aspx?dtlid=95273&catid=1 |
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Pak press freedom deteriorating |
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Afghanistan, Venezuela, Pakistan, Russia, Philippines, Egypt and Lebanon have “deteriorating conditions for press freedom”, says a “Fact Sheet” released by the US Bureau of Public Affairs in Washington on Wednesday. The “Fact Sheet” also says that Burma, Eritrea, North Korea, Equatorial Guinea, Cuba, Iran, Turkmenistan, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Syria, Belarus, China and Zimbabwe have “continually poor records on press freedom”. Reports indicate that over 110 journalists and media workers were killed in 2006, making it the bloodiest year on record for journalism. These incidents highlight the significant danger journalists and media workers face throughout the world as well as the need to improve respect for freedom of the press and the safety of journalists, the “Fact Sheet” adds.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\03\story_3-5-2007_pg1_8 |
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Press freedom ‘sliding downwards in Pakistan’ |
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As the world celebrates press freedom day today, United States has placed Pakistan among those countries that are sliding downwards as far as press is concerned. Mariana Babar reports in The News.
(News-9)
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CPJ sees press freedom deteriorating in Pakistan |
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Two Asian nations, Pakistan and Thailand, are among the countries where press freedom has deteriorated the most over the last five years, a new analysis by the Committee to Protect Journalists said on Wednesday. Pakistan ranks No 6 following alarming increases in the murders and abductions of journalists, while Thailand comes 10th because of the new military government's sweeping effort to control broadcast media, according to a press release.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=54076 |
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World Press Freedom Day |
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Throughout the world, May 3 serves as an occasion to inform the public of violations of the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists brave jail or even face death to bring people their daily news. The main theme of World Press Freedom Day-2006 was, “The Media as a Force for Change” and this year UNESCO has dedicated the day to the correlation between media freedom and the eradication of poverty. In this connection, Karachi Press Club and Karachi Union of Journalists have organised a seminar on the “State of Press in Pakistan”. Former Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court Justice (retd) Wajihuddin will chair the seminar, which will also be addressed by senior editors, journalists and representatives of private TV channels. Besides this, a rally will be taken out by electronic media staffers, starting from the Arts Council to Karachi Press Club, which will also be participated in by print media persons.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=54099 |
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‘Journalism: Past, Present and Future’ |
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Speakers at a seminar on Wednesday observed that journalists should be concerned citizens who thoroughly observe the developments around them and report the same objectively, keeping aside any political leaning or ideological preferences. “Journalism in Pakistan has a very commendable past but the contemporary professional ethics are wavering under pressure and personal interests. But some are still striving to keep the profession free from the stigmas of greed or fear.” The evaluation about the journalists and the profession was put forward by the journalists themselves in a seminar titled, “Journalism: Past-Present and Future” organised by the Department of Mass Communication, Jinnah University for Women, at its premises.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=54107 |
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5 journalists killed, 6 kidnapped in 2006 |
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Increasingly dangerous trends of violence threatened Pakistani journalists during the past year, leaving at least five of them dead. Six journalists were kidnapped and tortured by intelligence agencies and over 50 others were injured, says a report of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), released on the occasion of the International Press Freedom Day to be observed on Thursday. The year 2006 also witnessed new dimensions in violence against journalists, as their families were also targeted. Taimur Khan, brother of BBC correspondent Dilawar Khan, and child Bashir Khan, brother of slain journalist Hayatullah Khan, were killed.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/03/nat26.htm |
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Free media still a far cry in Pakistan |
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On the eve of World Press Freedom Day, the spokesperson of individualland has said Pakistani media has come a long way in acquiring its freedom but there are still challenges. In a statement here Wednesday, the spokesperson said this is evident from what happened in the attack on Geo TV and notices served to Aaj TV.
(The News-4)
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The struggle will continue |
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Today as we observe Press Freedom Day we cant help reminding ourselves how in the last one hour especially the journalists community has mustered courage to fight for their rights and gain full freedom from the clutches of tyrannical distortarship of present regime. Huma Ammir Malik reports in the Nation.
(The Nation-2)
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PFUJ mourns fallen comrades on World Press Freedom day |
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In the past year, five journalists and one editor have been killed in the country, a national union of journalists said on Wednesday, a day ahead of World Press Freedom Day. “A new trend of violence targeting journalists and their families has emerged in Pakistan,” Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists told Daily Times. 2006 was seen as the “deadliest” year because so many journalists were killed. “The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) calls for safety measures, life insurance, free medical coverage and safety training for reporters, cameramen and photojournalists,” the union said in a press statement. Attacks on journalists and their families have included the brothers of two journalists being murdered, forcing them to leave his home, while conditions in tribal areas have forced several reporters to quit the profession, the PFUJ statement read.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\03\story_3-5-2007_pg7_22 |
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Report unveils state of media in the country |
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The past one year has seen considerable increase in the incidents of attacks on media in general including government attempts to gag the media as five journalists were killed while 17 arrested or detained , 61 injured in physical assaults and 27 intimated , an independent report issued here Wednesday revealed. Shabir Mir reports in the News.
(The News-14)
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Benazir expresses solidarity with journalists |
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Former prime minister and PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto has expressed solidarity with the journalists and said the PPP will continue to fight for the media freedom, as in the past. She said this in a statement Wednesday to mark the Press Freedom Day that was being observed on today (Thursday). "It is a grim thought on the press freedom today that the media in Pakistan is under increasing assault and media freedoms are endangered," she said.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=95258&catid=17 |
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World Press Freedom Day | Credit goes to govt for free media: Durrani |
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Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Muhammad Ali Durrani has said the credit goes to the present government for free media and it will further grow as more dynamic and vibrant national institution in the near future. "Press freedom is an ongoing process and a national responsibility. Media in Pakistan is enjoying unequalled freedom which it has earned due to valuable sacrifices offered by the journalist community," the minister said while talking to the media here after a dinner hosted by Federal Secretary Information and Broadcasting Syed Anwar Mehmood.
(Jang-1) (Nawa-e-Waqt-3)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=95250&catid=17 |
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The News Editorial ‘Press freedom survey’ |
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A report released on the occasion of International Press Freedom Day by the Committee to Protect Journalists, analysing press freedom all over the world, has shown Pakistan in very poor light. Pakistan and nine other countries all find dishonourable mention in the survey as places where press freedom has deteriorated the most in the last five years. The report by the well-respected New York-based media watchdog is bound to make a big dent in the government's frequent claims to being a guarantor of freedom of expression and media. The fact actually is that by and large the CPJ report confirms the perception of many within the country, that faced with several crises the government, more often than not, ends up using the media and the press as a punching bag. This year alone has seen a brazen attack on the offices of Geo TV in which dozens of uniformed police personnel took part. A government inquiry into the attack managed to implicate only a police inspector as the apparent mastermind of the whole episode, as if a police official himself would have conducted something like this on his own without instructions from 'above'.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=54003 |
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Media Protest
MMA seeks apology for torture against journalist |
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MMA has sought apology from journalist of a private TV channel tortured during the hearing of reference against chief justice. MMA leader Liquat Baloch assured to victim journalist that matter would be probed. During the coverage of refrence a journalist was tortured by an organization on Wednesday.
(Express-3)
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Minister attitude with journalist condemned |
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The journalists of Azad Kahsmir will launch protest against senior minister through out Azad Kashmir if he does not change his attitude. This has been decided in an emergency meeting in Friends Group of Press which held in kotli under the presidentship of senior most member of the group and chief patron District Press Club Kotli Muhammad Latif Jaferi. The speakers in meeting strongly condemned the misconduct of senior minister with a local journalist during the press conference called by PM AJK on a question asked by the journalist.
(Nation-9)
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Lankan journalist’s murder condemned |
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The South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) has condemned the killing of Selvarajah Rajivarnam, a reporter for Tamil newspaper Uthayan, and urged the Sri Lankan government to investigate the murder and bring the assailants to book. Rajivarnam was on an assignment in Jaffna on Sunday when unidentified gunmen shot him near a military checkpoint. “We urge the Sri Lankan government to bring the killers to justice,” SAMC Chairperson N Ram and Secretary General Najam Sethi said in a statement. “Sri Lanka’s civil conflict cannot be used as an excuse to allow such deaths to occur with impunity,” said the statement issued by SAMC Regional Coordinator Husain Naqi.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\03\story_3-5-2007_pg1_9 |
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Critique on Media
Letter to Editor ‘Media spell’ |
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Zahra Hussain comments, “These trends are indicative of a passive audience mindlessly following the trends portrayed by the Indian media. The concept of family entertainment in Pakistan has undergone a radical change as a result of exposure through the Indian media during the last decade. Why are we promoting Indian culture through our media?
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\03\story_3-5-2007_pg3_6 |
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Media Miscellaneous
Secretary information hosts dinner for journalist |
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The journalists must find some time to relax in their routine of working since they have to undertake strenuous job, said Information and Broadcast Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani. He said government is prepared to afford such opportunities to the journalists. The Minister briefly addressing the dinner hosted by Federal Secretary Information Syed Anwer Mehmood in a local hotel. Dinner later turned into informal Musharia.
(News-9) (Nawa-e-Waqt-3)
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Theater
Letters to Editor ‘Ban on Ajoka play’ |
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The government's decision to ban 'Burqavaganza' by Ajoka is highly deplorable. It is not only against freedom of expression given to the people under the constitution but also against 'enlightened moderation' propagated by both the government and the president. It simply shows the government is making its decisions on the whims of particular groups while ignoring and disrespecting the constitution of the country.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=53997 |
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Radio
FM LISTENING | FM channels and World Cup 2007 |
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Finally, Cricket World Cup 2007 has come to an end. Though it was an interesting event but majority of the people lost their interest as the Pakistani team got knocked out of the battle in the very first round. This dampened many of our compatriots' spirits, and the usual cricket mania that usually accompanies such events was not visible. However, this time many unexpected things happened during the world cup matches which really amazed people and made it difficult for them to predict anything.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=95260&catid=17 |
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Art
New library, art gallery at FCC |
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A new library and art gallery will be inaugurated on May 4 at the French Cultural Centre (FCC), the Alliance Francaise Karachi (AFK). According to an announcement, the Ambassador of France in Pakistan, Regis de Belenet, will inaugurate the new library and art gallery. It said the spacious and adequately illuminated library has recently received a large consignment of books on various subjects from France with special emphasis on children's books.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNewsT.aspx?dtlid=95208&catid=2 |
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AFK art gallery opening on Friday |
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A new library and art gallery will be inaugurated on Friday (tomorrow) at the French Cultural Centre- the Alliance Francaise Karachi (AFK). The ambassador of France in Pakistan Regis de Belenet will perform the inauguration, an announcement said on Tuesday. It said that the spacious and adequately illuminated library has recently received a large consignment of books on various subjects from France with special emphasis on children’s books. It said that the newly expanded and refurbished art gallery will be a welcome addition to the Karachi’s vibrant art scene. It said that to mark the opening of the art gallery, an exhibition of the contemporary art will also be held.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=54124 |
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Advertisement
‘No concern on radioactive ad’ |
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Pakistan's nuclear authority has said the adverts published in major Urdu newspapers were merely a campaign to make people aware of the dangers of radiation from material that might have been used in hospitals and industrial plants. There is no cause for concern, said Zaheer Ayub Baig, information services director of Pakistan's Nuclear Regulatory Authority, in a letter to the BBC. The adverts urged members of the public to inform officials if they found any "lost or stolen" radioactive material.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?bdtl_id=5614&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
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Pakistan downplays radioactive ad |
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Pakistan Nuclear Regulatory Authority has said there is no cause for concern after it published advertisements in newspapers for information on ‘lost’ radioactive material. The advertisments urged members of the public to inform officials if they found any ‘lost or stolen’ radioactive material. They were published in major Urdu-language newspapers. According to a report on BBC Online, a spokesman for the authority said that there was a ‘very remote chance’ that nuclear materials imported 40-50 years ago were unaccounted for. Officials on Wednesday were keen to reassure the outside world that no radioactive material had been stolen, lost or gone missing. But officials say they need to heighten public awareness of nuclear issues to ensure that decades-old nuclear material is fully accounted for.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/03/nat9.htm |
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Books
Progressive writers plan to reactivate body |
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The first consultative meeting of the Progressive Writers Association held here during the closing sessions of Sajjad Zaheer centenary celebrations has decided to reorganise the PWA. After completing the initial coordination work, the committee also prepared a draft manifesto of the organisation which was approved by the delegates.
A one-day convention of the progressive writers was later held in Multan to work out plans relating to the reorganisation of the PWA. It is after the lapse of 53 years that serious efforts are being made to reactivate the organisation which played a historic role in the subcontinent.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/03/local21.htm |
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OUP’s denial |
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The Managing-Director of the Oxford University Press (OUP), Ameena Saiyid, has taken a strong exception to a report published in The News on April 28 in which it was mentioned that a proposed tell-all book by the so-called Aunty Shamim was to be published by the OUP. The Oxford University Press is a world renowned and reputable university press that was established over 500 years ago. It publishes scholarly, literary, and educational books. There is no question of its publishing cheap, sensational books such as stated in the news item.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=7598 |
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Copy Rights
HEC to post list of plagiarists on its website |
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The Higher Education Commission has decided to post a list carrying the names of plagiarists, their designation and information about proven cases of plagiarism against them on its website in the next few days. HEC Executive Director Sohail Naqvi said this while talking to The Post Wednesday. He said that the Commission approved the acquisition of anti-plagiarism software that would check publications and research reports emanating from institutions of higher learning. "Use of unethical means by a small minority of researchers will not be allowed to tarnish the excellent work of a majority of hard working researchers in Pakistan", he added.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3632&catid=3 |
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DISCLAIMER: The contents, including news and headlines, in this newsletter are reproduced from their respective publications ad verbatim as a public service to media observers. Internews does not author the contents and these, therefore, do not necessarily reflect organizational policy.
Updated at 11:00 PST (06:00 GMT) |
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