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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Arrested / Illegally Detained
70 rights activists, 14 journalists arrested |
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NO less than 70 leaders, activists and members of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan and 14 journalists were viciously detained when they were holding a meeting at its office in Garden Town by the Model Town Division Police on the pretext of anti-government propaganda on Sunday.
As per details, Director of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) I.A. Rehman, Chairman HRCP Senator Iqbal Haider and Member of Central Executive Committee Dr. Mubashir Hassan called a meeting of HRCP members at its head office at 17-C Garden Town, Lahore, at 12 pm on Sunday. More than 70 members of HRCP, including Shahtaj Qazal Bash, Saleema Hashmi, Imtiaz Alam, Iram Afshar, Amna Sharif and Naseer Bhutta, participated in the meeting. Around 20 journalists, belonging to electronic and print media, were also present for the coverage. The participation of Chairperson HRCP Asma Jhangir was also expected in the meeting.
The journalists, detained and later released, are Anwar Khan, Awais Ibrahim, Asghar Ali, Rana Haider, Faraz Haider, Adnan, Shahid Asad, Mazhar Shahzad and Agha Iqrar.
(The News),
(The Nation)
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Intimidation
Govt may swoop on media persons too |
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ISLAMABAD: The government has ordered the law enforcing agencies to arrest, even, media persons under 'Emergency Rule' while performing their duties if found in groups of more than four, an on-duty officer of the district administration told this correspondent Sunday during the crackdown against anti-government elements.
"We don't want to arrest the media persons despite the strict and clear cut orders from the government to execute Emergency Rules," the officer said. Crackdown against journalists is under consideration of concerned authorities and can be launched before the countrywide protest plan by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, reliable sources said, adding, however, dozens of media persons have been marked for detention. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78988 |
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MQM chief criticises media, judiciary |
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Some Anchorpersons hate MQM
Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) chief Altaf Hussain has said that the media, the Supreme Court and other courts demonstrated a feudal mentality as they never took notice of or raised their voice against illegal actions of a group of lawyers and politicians.
In a telephonic address from London to a gathering organised by the Graduate Forum here on Sunday, he said: “Those who talked about independence of the judiciary were very happy when the court took suo motu notices against police and their action against lawyers and journalists, but where were they when the SC did nothing against those lawyers who attacked Dr Farooq Sattar.”
(Dawn),
(Daily Times)
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Ban on Media
Media ban | Govt media reps meet today |
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ISLAMABAD: According to the official sources, the government has chalked out a strategy to tackle the media during the state of emergency and the new media restrictions would be furnished during a meeting with the All Pakistan Broadcasting Association, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Newspaper Editors (CPNE), starting from today.
With the proclamation of the state of emergency in the country on Saturday and resultant suspension of the cable service of all private news TV channels, the blackout is going to continue for an indefinite period, until broadcasting house owners compromise with the enforced amended law. The sources were of the view that the private media blackout would continue till the owners agree with the new rules and regulations. The Pemra has been given clear direction to be vigilant on media, the sources added. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?fdtl_id=946&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
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Restrictions on private TV channels: Letter to the Editor |
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The new restrictions have rendered private channels meaningless. As a matter of fact, national institutions should not be made subjects of criticism unnecessarily. But at the same time, the electronic media should have the liberty to highlight the weaknesses of institutions for the larger objective of society’s improvement.
President General Pervez Musharraf has been a strong advocate and supporter of free and independent print and electronic media. The amended PEMRA Ordinance that has been promulgated seems to have been drafted and enforced in a hurry and as such negates the spirit of what General Musharraf ostensibly believes in: a free, independent and responsible print and electronic media. It will be quite appropriate to ask for a revision of the amended PEMRA Ordinance to make it more acceptable. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg3_7 |
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The way out: Letter to the Editor |
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There is a complete media blackout in the country, which has added to the confusion of the masses. The president should allow for free and responsible coverage by the media so that the country moves towards stability.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg3_7 |
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Media Unions
PFUJ assails media curbs |
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has rejected the imposition of what it called a ‘mini-martial law’ in the name of state of emergency.
Criticising late-night raids on private TV news channels and two FM radio stations, it decided to resist the actions with the cooperation of other media organisations, including international media watchdogs. A PFUJ press release said the private news channels had been blocked and police raided offices of FM-99 and Aaj TV in Islamabad and FM-103 in Karachi. Senior police officials present outside Aaj TV said they had similar orders for other news channels. There are also unconfirmed reports about possible action against journalists and TV anchors, says the press release.
On Sunday morning, paramilitary personnel stopped the ARY news team in Quetta, snatched their camera, removed the film and handed back the camera after issuing a warning. “I can even put you behind bars,” an official present at the Faizan chowk told an ARY reporter. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/05/nat1.htm |
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Media Bodies
Musharraf taking Pakistan in wrong direction: CPJ |
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NEW YORK: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) said that President Pervez Musharraf’s actions were taking Pakistan in a wrong direction at a time when Pakistanis need more, not less, information. In a statement, the CPJ’s Asia Programme Coordinator Bob Dietz said the new media regulations allowed for no critical coverage of government officials. “For years Gen Musharraf bragged about allowing a free media. Now is the time for him to uphold those principles,” he said. Responding to reports that police entered the offices of Aaj television and later interrupted its satellite signal, Dietz said, “The government knows that people will not be satisfied with receiving news from the government news services, but we fear what has happened to Aaj TV will soon happen to the rest of the country’s independent media.”
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg7_3 |
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Media groups demand freedom of press |
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PESHAWAR: International media rights groups on Sunday urged the restoration of the media’s freedom after private independent news TV channels were ordered to go off air on Saturday evening. French media advocacy group Reporters Sans Frontières (RSF) said, “We urge the resumption of broadcasts by Pakistani television channels and the press should be allowed to work freely and safely.” The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has called an emergency meeting on Tuesday, in which presidents and general secretaries of affiliated unions will participate. The meeting will consider joint action along with other media bodies and may also urge for a ‘Global Action Day’, during which media bodies around the world will protest against media curbs in Pakistan. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg7_7 |
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Musharraf urged to free Pakistan 's media |
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The Committee to Protect Journalists, a New York-based watchdog body, Sunday urged President Pervez Musharraf to withdraw the severe new restrictions on Pakistan's news media and allow independent television and radio stations to resume coverage of the country's political crisis. "President Musharraf's drastic steps to silence news coverage make a mockery of his often repeated claims to have fostered free and open media," Joel Simon, CPJ's executive director, said in a statement.
"We share the fear that many journalists have expressed to us-that critical members of the press will be silenced by being thrown in jail, as has happened to opposition politicians and critics in civil society," he added. |
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/5/international10.php |
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SAFMA, SAMC condemn clampdown on press |
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Say media unable to function due to amendments to ordinances
LAHORE: The South Asia Media Commission (SAMC) and the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) have condemned the massive crackdown on media and rejected the two ‘draconian’ ordinances to ‘muzzle’ both print and electronic media in Pakistan.
In a joint statement, SAMC Secretary General Najam Sethi, SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, and SAMC Regional Coordinator Hussain Naqi have expressed grave concern over recent developments that have alienated the institution of judiciary and targeted media freedom while closing down all private television news networks. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg7_5 |
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Arts
Paintings decryingterrorism invite rave reviews |
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ISLAMABAD: The display of paintings portraying the images of peaceful lives of people, natural beauty of Pakistan continues here at Nomad Art Gallery.
The exhibition has been organised with the conscious aim of condemning terrorist attacks in the country. The group show of seven budding and established artists titled "In Pursuit of Pakistan: People and Places," is a collection from their recent artwork featuring the beauty of landscape and lifestyles in the remote region of Pakistan. Ather Jamal, a water colourist, portraits womenfolk and the areas of Tharparkar with masterly control over the medium with skilful use of light in his work. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=126975&catid=17 |
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Fire at drama producer’s house |
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LAHORE: Valuables worth several thousands of rupees reduced to ashes on Sunday when a fire broke out at the house of stage-drama producer Chaudhry Arshad due to short circuit. Edhi officials said the fire had broken out at stage drama producer Arshad’s house in Johar Town. Arshad’s neighbours informed the Fire Brigade. The firefighters after battling with the fire put it out.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg7_24 |
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Music and Movies
Threat to Music Shops in Landi Kotal |
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A local religious organisation has distributed leaflets in different areas warning people to close music shops in Landi Kotal and Torkham bazaars. It warned that women not accompanied by male relatives in bazaars would be punished.
Sources said the leaflets were distributed by an outfit led by Hazrat Nabi alias Tomanche Mullah in Landi Kotal and other areas on Sunday. They warned that strict action would be taken against shop owners who violated the directive. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/05/local30.htm |
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French opera troupe explores the genius of Mozart |
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Western classic music buffs in Karachi were recently given a treat when a selection from Mozart’s operas was performed at the Arts Council in Karachi on November 1, 2 and 3 by Le Chants de Garonne and the Karachi Vocal Ensemble. The programme had been organized in aid of Al-Mehrab Tibbi Imdad by the Consul General of France, Pierre Seillan, who had earlier in the year presented brief musical vignettes of Paris at the same venue.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/05/local12.htm |
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Critique on Media
Soaps of same suds |
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Letter to the Editor by Abdul rauf criticizing the nature of dramas and serials, limited to love affairs and marriages only.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/5/letters1.php |
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Media Miscellaneous
Some cable operators still airing banned channels |
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PESHAWAR: Some cable operators are still airing banned private news channels in the province despite the government's clear-cut instructions to all regional offices of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to stop cable operators from broadcasting news channels, following pronouncement of a state of emergency in the country.
These channels include Geo, ARY, Aaj, AVT Khyber, Dawn News, TV-One, Indus News, Business Plus, Royal, CNBC, BBC, CNN, Fox News and Sky News. Like other parts of the country, Pemra's regional office in Peshawar blocked the listed channels in most parts of NWFP. However, Pemra's regional office performance was exposed when this correspondent was contacted by one of his colleagues from the Tarbela Dam and Ghazi area and was told that the cable operators in Pakistan's biggest power generation city were still airing banned channels. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNewsT.aspx?dtlid=127073&catid=2 |
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Officials blank on TV channels’ revival |
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LAHORE, Nov 4: All private TV channels remained off air on Sunday with no one from Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) or the Ministry of Information knowing when they are expected to return on-air. A PEMRA official, when asked, feigned ignorance about timing of allowing cable operators to relay the channels again.
An information ministry official too was equally apologetic when asked about any decision on the issue. A message left for Minister of Information Muhammad Ali Durrani was never answered in spite of promise and the cell phone of Minister of State for Information Tariq Azeem went unattended despite repeated calls. Meanwhile, rumours about cancellation of certain television channels’ licences and others being raided by law enforcing agencies were rife in the city. Websites of all news television channels also remained in state of flux, with sporadic updating and blocking of some of them. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/05/nat8.htm |
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Journalists stage demo against emergency |
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SCORES of journalists Sunday staged a protest demonstration outside the Lahore Press Club against the state of emergency and ‘draconian’ Pemra Ordinace. They chanted slogans against President General Pervez Musharraf and vowed to continue struggle for the freedom of press. They said they would not accept any curbs on the electronic and print media. “We are ready to give sacrifices and face imprisonments for the freedom of press. We will continue to write and broadcast the truth,” they maintained.
Earlier, an emergency meeting was held at Lahore Press Club under the aegis of Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) to chalk out future line of action against the Pemra Ordinance and curbs on freedom of press. Punjab President Arif Hameed Bhatti, Lahore Press Club Secretary Syed Shoaib-ud-Din, Vice-President Fahim Gohar Butt, Finance Secretary Ziaullah Khan Niazi, SAFMA Secretary General Imtiaz Alam, PFUJ Executive Council Member Khalid Chaudhry, Punjab Assembly Press Gallery President Nawaz Tahir and others attended the meeting. The participants said that they would not comprise on the freedom of press at any cost. They said it was the need of hour to show complete unity among our ranks during the struggle for press freedom. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78950 |
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What’s going on, ask people |
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The blockage of private TV channels has caused anxiety among the people as they did not know what would happen on Monday (the first day of the new week). A man said his son’s internal test was scheduled on Monday (today) at the Army Public School in Saddar but he was not sure whether the academic institutes would open.
The people were also confused as to whether it was an emergency or martial law that has been imposed and what would be its implications as they were not getting information from the media, which they were very used to now. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78925 |
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Karachi Press Club in darkness for 14 hours |
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Electricity of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) remained suspended for about 14 hours starting from 4am on Sunday morning and was restored at about 6pm, that too after several attempts by the office-bearers of the KPC. According to details, electricity at the KPC went off in the wee hours of Sunday, with KESC taking no responsibility saying that as it was unaware of the actual situation. According to reports cable wires were stolen and jumpers were broken down, Secretary KPC, Imtiaz Khan Faran, told The News.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78927 |
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Journalists to boycott official functions |
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ISLAMABAD, Nov 4: The Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) has condemned curbs on media through new ordinances issued by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) in the wake of the imposition of emergency in the country. The condemnation came on Sunday at an emergency meeting at the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club’s camp office. The meeting decided to boycott all official functions on Monday (today) and vowed to launch a struggle for freedom of the press.
The meeting was attended among others by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Huma Ali, PFUJ secretary-general Mazhar Abbas, Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club president Mushtaq Minhas, RIUJ president Afzal Butt and senior vice-president Shahryar Khan. Speaking on the occasion, Huma Ali termed the restrictions on media as highly condemnable saying the journalists would continue their struggle till complete freedom of the press. He said a meeting of the presidents and secretaries of the journalists bodies throughout the country had been convened on Tuesday to devise a future course of action. He demanded of the government to withdraw the Pemra ordinances. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/05/nat11.htm |
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US concerned over media curbs, detentions |
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ISLAMABAD: The US embassy, expressing concern over media curbs and detention of lawyers and politicians, on Sunday urged the government to permit broadcasters resume their programme and set the imprisoned political leaders and lawyers free. “The United States is gravely concerned about orders by the government of Pakistan to suppress the media and to detain lawyers, politicians, human rights activists, and others during the proclamation of emergency,” the embassy said in a statement. “We also urge the government to quickly lift the detention orders and permit broadcasters to resume their programming, thereby ensuring that all citizens can take a constructive role in peaceful progress toward democratic elections,” the statement said. It said such extreme measures were clearly not in Pakistan’s interest and contradicted the progress it had made toward becoming a fully democratic society. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg7_6 |
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Karachites slam emergency rule |
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The city remained largely peaceful on Sunday in the aftermath of President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s imposition of emergency rule in the country. A number of citizens swarmed at a local coffee shop on Saturday night to chalk out protest strategies against the promulgation of the Provincial Constitutional Order (PCO). They later issued a press release, denouncing the imposition of “martial law”. The People’s Movement for Justice (PMJ) also arranged a meeting of leftwing and left-leaning parties, NGOs and members of civil society at the Karachi Press Club (KPC). More than 50 people who attended the meeting demanded an end to the “martial law”, and clampdown on the judiciary, media and civil society organisations.
Journalists criticised restrictions on the media. People have the right to know what’s going on, they added. The KPC executive committee will meet on Monday to decide future strategies regarding media and press ordinances promulgated under the PCO. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg7_35 |
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NWFP plans media centre at Swat |
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PESHAWAR: Media has a leading role in moulding the public opinion. It (media) has the responsibility to guide and educate the people about the wrongs in the society, said Shamsul Mulk, the Frontier caretaker chief minister. He was talking to Director General ISPR Maj Gen Waheed Arshad who called on him at the Frontier House late Saturday night. Home Minister Shahzada Gastasip, Secretary Home and Secretary Information were also present on the occasion.
The caretaker chief minister said his government would set up a Media Facilitation Centre in Swat to facilitate media men in the collection of first hand information. "Instructions in this regard have been issued". The element of distortion and rumours will get eliminated, he said. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?bdtl_id=8000&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
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Media’s hope: Letter to the Editor |
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The private television channels’ coverage of the lawyers’ struggle for the re-instatement of the Chief Justice was the turning point that demolished the whole façade of media freedom, baring the real fangs and revealing the true colours of the government. No doubt, until he perceived the media to have started troubling him, President General Musharraf proved to be more benign towards the media than its military predecessors. He would have set a glorious precedent had he continued with his ‘benevolence’. But this is relative freedom. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/LetNews.aspx?dtlid=127013&catid=4 |
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What three men had to say at a barber shop… |
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News channels went off air to suppress the number of bomb blasts, other incidents of terrorism and the loss of lives which are increasing at an alarming rate, opined daily wager Mumtaz while getting a hair cut at a barber’s shop here on Sunday morning. Discussing the situation in the country after the proclamation of emergency and the blank television screens, he first expressed happiness as “obscene and vulgar films” will be off air and this would bode well for society. His happiness was short-lived, however, as one of his friend told him that news channels had been off air from Saturday night. This was negative, incomprehensible and unforgivable was his immediate reaction. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\05\story_5-11-2007_pg12_3 |
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Age of darkness: The News Editorial |
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With the flickering off screens of private media channels, as a state of emergency, which in effect is a euphemism for martial law, was imposed on Saturday, Pakistan entered a new age of darkness. The two institutions, the judiciary and the media, which in recent months have given people most cause for cheer, have been the most severely targeted in President Musharraf's late night speech, following the issuing of the PCO. As for the claim that the federal and provincial assemblies will continue to function, this in effect means little as in the absence of an operative constitution, these institutions have no meaningful status.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78868 |
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The Saturday surprise and after: Op: Ed by Kamal Siddiqi |
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For the media, it was a lesson on how the state can control the message as it controls the messenger. Ten years back this would not have been possible as most houses, hotels and public places were equipped with a dish antenna that caught its own broadcast signals. We could see what we wanted. Today, we are under the “guidance” of PEMRA and the tyranny of cable operators. The hold on dissemination of information is quite impressive. The sudden rise in radios in different parts of the country over the weekend also indicated that people are hungry for news and information. For more than two years now, they have been fed on a diet of news, comment, analysis and live transmissions. Now they are being denied this pleasure. And they are unhappy and fearful. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78866 |
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Going too Far: The Nation Editorial |
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THE pity in the imposition of emergency with its restrictive ordinances insofar as they impinge on the freedom of expression is that one of the principal symbols of democratic governance - a vibrant, independent media - the regime would flaunt as unprecedented in the history of Pakistan has been removed with a single stroke. As has turned out, the freedom was a temporary façade put up to hide the government’s real credentials, and the moment it felt that the media had become too critical of its policies and that this attitude constituted a threat to replace it with a truly democratic order, it was summarily withdrawn.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/5/editorials2.php |
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A Gamble: The Nation Column by Nadeem Syed |
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The PCO seems to be a move seen as more judiciary and media specific. The President blamed judiciary for not only hampering the smooth governance, but also in the implementation of his political agenda, which he cherished since taking over in 1999. But his criticism towards the media was much milder. The government earlier took the credit from the West for letting so many independent channels to function in the country unhindered. But with its credibility dipping all-time low, of late, it was not feeling easy with increasingly hostile and assertive media. Now we heard that certain changes are made in the Press and Publication Ordinance to rein in all forms of media, especially the TV channels.
(The Nation) |
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Govt had no option but to impose emergency: Amir Muqam |
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“Three governments can't be run simultaneously in the country as some judges and media were having their own supremacy,” Amir Muqam said.
The Federal Minister for Political Affairs and President of the Pakistan Muslim League (NWFP), Engr Amir Muqam, said on Sunday the government had no other option but to declare the emergency in lieu of the grave situation currently gripping the country.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=78990 |
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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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