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RESOURCE CENTER - MEDIA MONITOR |
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Sunday May 06, 2007
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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Restriction
Journalists barred from Khyber Agency |
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The political administration has banned journalists from entering Khyber Agency. When several journalists led by daily Pakistan Peshawar’s resident editor Hashmat Lodhi reached Ali Masjid check post through Bara, they were stopped by Khasadars on the orders of line officer Juma Khan. Later a vehicle led by Subedar Arbab Shah arrived and directed the journalists to go to the tehsildar’s office. Teshildar Khalid Kundi directed the journalists to the political agent’s office outside Khyber Agency. The journalists’ requests to let them go back were ignored. They were taken to the PA office in custody and after two hours, PA’s reader Rahat Gul told them, “According to PA orders you are not allowed to work in Khyber Agency.” However, he refused to give reasons for the ban.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg7_28 |
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Journalists detained, sent back to Peshawar |
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The political administration of the Khyber Agency on Saturday detained four Peshawar-based journalists when they entered the tribal area on Saturday. Speaking at the Peshawar Press Club, Hashmat Lodhi, Saiful Islam Saiffi, Alamgir Khan and Raja Imran Mehr said that when they reached the Ali Masjid checkpost in Landi Kotal, along with some local reporters, personnel of the levy force stopped their vehicle and said that they could not make any sort of coverage in the agency. They said that line-officer Jumma Khan had told the personnel to restrict the movement of journalists in the agency. Another group of Khasadars (personnel of the levy force), led by subaidar Arbab Shah, arrived at the checkpost and took them (journalists) to the office of tehsildar Khalid Kundi, they added. They said that Mr Kundi told the personnel to take the journalists to the political administrator’s office. The journalists said that they were not allowed to return to Peshawar, and the tehsildar declined to answer when asked if they were detained. “The personnel took us in their custody and brought us to the PA office.” After two hours, Raht Gul, an official at the policical agent’s office, said there was a ban on the entry, movement and working of journalists in the agency, but he could not show any official order. Khyber Union of Journalists president Jan Afzal and general secretary Nasir Hussain condemned the detention of journalists in the Khyber agency and said the incident clearly showed that the government was opposed to the freedom of press. They said that the journalists’ fraternity would not let the incident go unnoticed and would register its protest. Peshawar Press Club president M. Riaz and other office-bearers condemned the ban on the entry of journalists and refusal of permission to carry out their professional duty in the agency. They said that they would not accept any restrictions on the movement of journalists.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/06/local7.htm |
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TV Broadcast Blockage in Sindh
Three TV channels off air for hours |
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Three television news channels went off the air on Saturday afternoon, depriving viewers in Karachi and southern Sindh of the live coverage of the caravan of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry proceeding to Lahore from Islamabad. The transmission of the channels — Geo, ARY and Aaj — was suspended in Karachi, Hyderabad and Nawabshah at about 5:30pm. In a few areas of Karachi, the channels could be watched after about two hours. People called newspaper offices to inquire about the disruption and most of them blamed the government. Officials of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) denied any instructions had been issued to stop the transmission of the channels. They said that these channels were not seen only in southern parts of Sindh, and if Pemra had issued any instructions the transmission would have been blocked all over the country.
(Express-1)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/06/top4.htm |
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Three private TV channels off air in Sindh |
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Three private television channels Geo TV, ARY and AAJ TV lost their transmissions on Saturday evening. Sources said that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement workers might be responsible although no explanation was available. According to APP, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairman, Iftikhar Rashid, denied PEMRA involvement in the termination of transmission in some parts of Sindh. Cable Operators’ Association of Pakistan vice-president Khalid Arain said that the three channels were transmitted through PANAM SAT-7, even though AAJ TV is transmitted via AsiaSat. Sources said AAJ TV was also blocked in Lahore Cantt. “There are some technical issues with the satellite, so places where the ‘footprints’ are weak are not receiving any transmission,” Arain said. Adeel Zahid, a telecom engineer said, “A satellite fault can block certain transmissions. However, two channels being transmitted through the same satellite must be off air at the same time.” In this case, Geo Sports is still on air, while Geo News is not.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg1_8 |
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Private TV channels jammed in Sindh |
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The transmissions of private TV channels ware jammed on Saturday as they were airing CJP Justice Iftikhar Mohammed Chaudhry’s rally and had announced to telecast CJP’s address to lawyers in Lahore. The jamming of the transmissions of private TV channels led to widespread rumours that the government had deliberately banned the telecast to undermine the importance of warm welcome accorded to the top judge by people and legal fraternity. Cable operators said they were threatened to shut down the transmissions of the private TV channels for four hours. It was alleged that Pemra had issued notices to the cable operators to jam the transmission till the whole CJP event was finished. The channels banned included GEO, AAJ, ARY. Meanwhile the channels said quoting their sources that the transmissions had been blocked on ‘directives’ of the MQM. It was also said that the government coalition partner, MQM was involved in banning the transmissions in the Sindh province but the MQM leaders denied theses charges and termed it a tactic to defame their party.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/may-2007/6/index4.php |
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Private TV Channels telecast blocked |
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In some parts of the country included Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Mirpur Khas and Nawabshah Geo news telecast has been blocked. Some circles claimed that MQM bade the cable operators to shut down the telecast. The cable operators were allegedly asked to keep the telecast closed down till the chief Justice’s rally come to an end. MQM leader Haider Abbas denied the shutting down of telecast by MQM. PEMRA chairman categorically denied any involvement of PEMRA or any department of the government in reported termination of certain private TV channels in some parts of Sindh province.
(Post-A12)
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Termination of PTV transmission clarified |
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Chairman PEMRA Ifthikar Rasheed categorically denied any involvement of PEMRA or any department of the government in reported termination of certain private TV channels transmission in some parts of Sindh. “PEMRA is neither involved nor it has any information abouth the involvement of anyone.” He said.
(Nation-5)
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PBA slams blackout of TV channels |
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Private television channels, including Geo News, remained off-air for several hours on Saturday in most parts of the metropolis and elsewhere in the interior of Sindh, including Hyderabad, Sukkur and Nawabshah. Scores of phone calls were received from different areas about the unavailability of the Geo News broadcast. Besides, the telecast of Aaj TV and ARYONE World were also shut down. The transmission of Geo and other TV channels were suspended around 5pm. Rumours were rife that the Muttahida Qaumi Movement bade the cable operators to shut down the telecast. The cable operators were allegedly asked to keep the telecast off-air until the end of the chief justice’s rally.
According to a press release issued by the Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA), the representative body of private TV and radio channels, a Muttahida Qaumi Movement press release states that they have always promoted press freedom. However, they feel that while the coverage of the chief justice’s procession from Islamabad to Lahore was aired throughout the day, the coverage of the Muttahida Legal Aid’s rally was not aired at all. The Muttahida pointed out that their rally was attended by thousands of people, which was 10 times more than the support and turnout in Jhelum and Gujrat for the chief justice.
The Muttahida claims that the blackout of private TV channels was not by them, but the result of anger from the people due to the ‘dishonest’ coverage by the TV channels.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Nationalists slam blockage of TVs telecast |
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The leading nationalist parties of Sindh has condemned the transmission blockage of private Televisions channels in whole province and said that after attacking on the judiciary government wanted to suppress the voice of expression of the freedom. Lambasting on the ruling parties they said that blockage of transmission of the private TV channels exposed the tall claims of the so called parties and their leadership who always made tall claims of the freedom of expression. Leading Sindhi nationalist Rasool Bakash Palijo said that rulers were sacred from the warm welcome of the CJ Iftikhar Mohammad Choudary, which shaken the government. He added that people of the entire country including Sindh province were eager to see the glimpse of their beloved CJ on the Private TV channels and showing solidarity and taking keen interest in the CJ issue.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/may-2007/6/nationalnews11.php |
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Media Regulation
Motions in NA, Senate against journalists manhandling |
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The opposition has submitted adjournment motions in the National Assembly and Senate Secretariat against the manhandling of police and local administration with journalists during the hearing of presidential reference. PPPP Parliamentary Secretary Azhar Amrohi separately submitted the adjournment motions in the NA and Senate Secretariat. It was stated in the motion that during the presidential reference against Chief Justice on May 3, some people in lawyers’ clothes stopped the journalists and manhandled resulting injuries to Qayyum Siddiqui, Murtaza Kamran and Javed Soomro. The journalists’ organisations condemned this behaviour of the administration who offended the journalists and fled away from the scene. The matter is very serious and of public importance which needs discussion in Lower and Upper House, it added.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=95756&catid=17&date=05/06/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Debate sought on journalists’ manhandling in NA and Senate |
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The opposition on Saturday submitted two adjournment motions to the National Assembly and Senate Secretariat, seeking debate on manhandling of some journalists by security personnel “in disguise as lawyers” on May 3. ARD Parliamentary Secretary Izhar Amrohvi submitted the motions. The motions said that during the hearing of the presidential reference against the chief justice of Pakistan on May 3, certain people posing as lawyers stopped journalists and manhandled them, resulting in injuries to Qayyum Siddiqui, Murtaza Kamran and Javed Soomro.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg7_20 |
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Manhandling of journalists: opposition seeks NA, Senate debate |
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The opposition on Saturday separately submitted adjournment motions to the National Assembly and the Senate, seeking discussion in both the Houses on the reported manhandling of journalists by the local administration here on May 3. Combined opposition senators Mian Raza Rabbani, Prof Khurshid Ahmed, Asfandyar Wali, Saadia Abbasi, Enver Baig, Rukhsana Zuberi and Safdar Abbasi signed the motion filed with the Senate. The motion said the local administration /police manhandled and misbehaved with mediapersons at the gate of the Supreme Court on the arrival of the chief justice on May 3.
Media reports said certain persons in the garb of lawyers stopped journalists Qayyum Siddiqui, Murtaza Kamran and Javed Soomro and manhandled them. The journalist organisations condemned the incident. The motion filed with the NA Secretariat was signed by Manzoor Ahmed, Naheed Khan, Nayyar Bokhari, Zamurd Khan, Pervaiz Ashraf, Khurshid Shah, Sherry Rehman, Khawaja Asif and Pervaiz Malik.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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Pemra to issue 1st non commercial FM radio license |
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Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has decided to issue first ever non commercial FM radio license to Islamabad traffic police. The broadcast license is aimed to serve as bridge between Islamabad traffic Police and public.
(News-14) (Jang-2)
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ITP to get FM radio license |
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The Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has decided to issue the first ever non-commercial FM radio license to the Islamabad Traffic Police, PEMRA Spokesman Muhammad Saleem told Daily Times on Saturday. He said the broadcast license was aimed to serve as a bridge between Islamabad Traffic Police and the public. “Once the transmission is launched, it will enable ITP to interact with the general public to educate them about traffic rules and conditions, commuting problems, safety guidelines and other subjects regarding traffic management,” said Saleem. He said the decision to this effect was taken this week during a meeting presided over by PEMRA Chairman Iftikhar Rashid. ITP SSP Sultan Azam Tamuri told the meeting that the ITP was prepared to run the radio transmission once they got the license, said Saleem.
(Express-9)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg11_7 |
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Media Miscellaneous
Watchdog role of media highlighted |
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A six member Egyptian media delegation comprising senior writers and editors of leading newspapers visited National University of Modern Languages (NUML) here. The media delegation, which is visiting Pakistan at the invitation of ‘Islamabad Policy Research Institute’, was led by Dr. Mohammad Magdi Morgen president of afro Asian Writers Association. During meeting with media team, Rector NUML Dr. Aziz Ahmed Khan highlighted the watchdog role of media and told media that they play important role in opinion forming.
(News-14) (Khabrian-2)
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Editorial: Press freedom deteriorates in Pakistan |
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On World Press Freedom Day the parliament in Islamabad couldn’t decide whether Pakistan’s press was free or not. The information minister vowed it was free as never before in history, the opposition protested that the press was being targeted by the state, and the journalists complained they were under more pressure than before. Press freedom was General Musharraf’s great showcase of democracy. But in the last twelve months, many cracks have appeared in it, to the detriment of the government and country.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg3_1 |
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Letter to editor “Restricted media” |
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Muhammsd Asif, “A BBC report on Press Freedom Day about the killing of 6 journalists, including one editor, and kidnapping and manhandling of more than 50 journalists by the security and secret agencies on account of their refusal to follow the policy of the state underlines government’s impatience with democracy and the media — the fourth pillar of democracy. After this uncivil performance the International Organisation of Journalists has listed Pakistan among the 10 countries where the media have been gagged and the life of journalists is unsafe. The government needs to ensure that the media is free and the life of journalists, and of their kith and kin, is safe at all costs.”
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg3_7 |
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Letter to editor “No graffiti” |
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Azhar Khan comments “Irrelevant chalking, political slogans, detestable advertisement and adhesive posters on city walls, bridges, and polls present an ugly sight. It seems to be hard for the city administration to stop such practices since a lot behind it involves influential people and politicians. All such practices do not make us a sophisticated nation. The city government should take notice and check out the ways in which this graffiti can be removed.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=11 |
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Bannu Press Club delegation calls on CM Journalists doing their best, says Akram |
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NWFP Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani has said the journalist community has a great role in purging the society from social evils, removing social disparities, bridging the gap between the common people and the government besides creation of awareness regarding protection to social sectors among the masses.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=95778&catid=2&date=05/06/2007&fcatid=14
(Nation-19)
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Japans minister visits PTV HQs |
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The freedom of media playing vital role in the development of economic culture and education of Pakistan and PTV’s performance is appreciable in this regard this was stated by Vice Minister for Internal Affairs and Communications of Japan Kazufumi Tanguchi during his meeting with Managing Director PTV Yousaf Beg Mirza at PTV headquarters. He assured that Japan would provide all committed assistance for PTV-2 (phase3) and would also help in some other projects including of extension of PTV signals in FATA.
(Nation-5)
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Music
Vandalism in the name of piety |
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What is happening to the CD music shops in Charsadda in the NWFP is no Islam but sheer rule of the outlaw through intimidation. It has crept in from the tribal areas where the writ of the state no longer runs. In the town where the nation’s interior minister nearly got killed by a suicide bomber, 20 shops were destroyed in two explosions. The shops had been warned but the shopkeepers were too poor to obey. Now of course they have written up placards saying they love the destruction of their shops and will never think of music again.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg3_1 |
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Art
Letter to editor “Ban on play” |
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Ahmed Zaheer comments “In the recent weeks, some foreign funded NGOs have raised a lot of hue and cry over the government's supposed inability to enforce its writ on the girl students of Jamia Hafsa in Islamabad. On the other hand, when the government banned a stage drama in Lahore that denigrated the wearing of the burqa (which incidentally has been a part of our culture for many centuries), these same NGOs participated in the screening of this drama thus completely ignoring the legal ban. It seems these NGOs are not interested in imposing the writ of the government per se but only in forcing it on those whom they dislike.” Zulfiqar Gul comments “Those who are consistently teaching us enlightenment and moderation could not tolerate a glimpse of humour presented by the Ajoka theatre and got them banned whereas Jamia Hafsa is being protected and helped to flourish to check immorality in society. It seems our military establishment still has close links with those who used to be their darlings throughout the 1980s and 90s.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=11 |
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Telecommunication
AIOU will start FM radio and TV channel, free mobile Sims to ease contacts |
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Prof Dr Mehmood-ul-Hassan Butt, Vice Chancellor has said that very soon the university will inter in the cycle of satellite television, internet and online education and for the purpose a building is under construction for starting FM radio and TV channel by financial aid of Higher Education Commission. “Free mobile SIM will be provided to all the students in near future on which they will easily access to their tutors. The Intel company is preparing laptops of 20 Gigabytes for the students of the university, the cost of which will be Rs 18,000 and the university is trying to provide computers on easy installments to students” he added. At the end, the delegations watch introductory documentary film of the university and visited the radio/TV studios, printing press and book warehouse of the university.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=95761&catid=17&date=05/06/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Advertising
Letter to editor “Enticing adverts” |
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Maghfoor Ahsan “I am writing to express my exasperation with all the glittering advertisements shown on several cable TV channels, especially in-house channels on which cable TV operators run films, mostly Indian. Similar ads are also seen on billboards in most cities of Pakistan. These adverts depict Gwadar as a city without parallel, comparable to the likes of Dubai, Singapore and Shanghai. Unscrupulous elements are using gimmickry to hoodwink people. Many stories have been heard about people being cheated of their investments through these enticing computer graphics. The public must beware of these fraudulent elements and must fully investigate the merits and bonafides of each offering before committing their precious savings to any project.”
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\06\story_6-5-2007_pg3_7 |
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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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