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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Attack on Media
Intimidation
Protesters booked in capital |
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Scores of journalists, civil society representatives, lawyers and politicians, who staged a torch-bearing protest against new curbs on the media here on Monday, were booked by police on multiple charges, including violation of Section 144, breaking of police barricades, occupying an area adjacent to the prime minister’s secretariat and chanting anti- government slogans. Secretariat police SHO Rukhsar Mehdi and DSP Gulfam Nazir denied that any case had been registered against the protesters. But senior superintendent of Islamabad police Zafar Iqbal confirmed that a case had been registered against the mediapersons in the Secretariat police. “The FIR has been sealed and once sealed it cannot be disclosed,” he added. He said no arrest had been made from the capital, adding the police were not planning to arrest anyone. The sources said the case had been registered on the complaint of SHO Rukhsar Mehdi, who was present at the rally and misbehaved with a number of journalists besides trying to take away a former minister’s car. The sources said the case had been registered on the directive of the government who had ordered the police to take strict action against the protesters. The sources said 250 journalists were nominated in the FIR. The names of Mazhar Abbas, Syed Talat Hussain, Fauzia Shahid, C.R. Shamsi, Tariq Usmani and Rawalpindi-Islamabad Press Club president Mushtaq Minhas were mentioned in the FIR.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/top2.htm
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg1_10
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8338
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Police wield force against journalists |
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Annoyed by the reporting of increasing crime in Makhdoompur Pahooran, Khanewal police arrested and tortured five journalists. Journalists Muhammad Ayoob Niazi, Irfan Ahmed Malik, Lal Khan, Rana Abdul Sattar and Mirza Nasir said that the residents of Chak No 12 AH, Rakh Makhdoom, staged blocked Khanewal-Makhdoompur Road against robberies in the village on May 19. They said that deputy superintendent of police (DSP) Mian Tanvir and Makhdoompur station house officer (SHO) Chaudhry Yousaf pressured them not to report the incident to their newspapers and threatened them with consequences if they did so. They said that Makhdoompur police arrested Niazi, Malik and Khan on Monday in a case under sections 751 and 107 of the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) when they went to the police station along with Sattar and Nasir to settle a dispute between two rival groups. Later, the police registered a case against Sattar and Nasir under sections 334, 337A2, 337A1, 149 and 148 of the PPC and arrested them, they added. They alleged that police tortured them throughout the night after stripping them. They said that police targeted them for their reporting of crime in the area. A court granted the journalists bail on Tuesday, while the police would produce them in court in another case today (Wednesday). DSP Tanwir told Dawn that it was a dispute between two groups and that he never stopped anyone from press coverage. SHO Yousaf said the journalists were blackmailers and they were facing what they had done. He said there was no dispute between the police and journalists. Regional police officer Mirza Muhammad Ali said that a police enquiry committee that would be acceptable to the journalists would investigate the case. He said action would be taken against police officials if they were found guilty.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat36.htm |
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Media Protest
Countrywide rallies against media curbs |
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Lawyers, journalists, international human rights and media organisations and opposition leaders on Tuesday slammed the curbs imposed on the electronic media by President Gen Pervez Musharraf and staged protest rallies in different parts of the country to register their protest. They supported the journalist community and vowed to continue the struggle for media freedom and condemned the promulgation of the Pemra amendment ordinance.In a statement, opposition leader in the Senate Raza Rabbani condemned the Pemra amendment ordinance, terming it the blackest of the laws. “The regime has shown its true colours by issuing the ordinance. This is the blackest of black laws. This is a crude attempt by the regime to gag the media”.
(Nation-2)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8333 |
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Lawyers to observe black day against Pemra Ord tomorrow |
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Lawyers Tuesday announced that they would observe "Black Day" on Thursday (tomorrow) in protest against the introduction of the Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 across the country. On Thursday, they would hold meetings, take out rallies and wear black bands on their arms to protest curbs on media. The representatives of bars expressed these views while addressing the media on Tuesday. They vowed to protest against restrictions on the media before the court of law and declared amendments unconstitutional. Condemning arrest of the political workers and members of civil societies, the community named the rally on Thursday as 'Freedom of Press.'
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3825&catid=3 |
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Balochistan PA to debate curbs on media |
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An adjournment motion tabled by opposition members in the Balochistan Assembly against threats to journalists and suspension of transmission of private TV channels was admitted on Tuesday for debate on Thursday. The motion was opposed by the minister for law and parliamentary affairs, but Deputy Speaker Mohammad Aslam Bhootani, who was presiding over the assembly session, said he was against restrictions on the media. Speaking on the admissibility of the motion, Leader of Opposition Kachkol Baloch expressed resentment over threats given to mediamen and criticised the suspension of transmissions of Geo, Aaj and ARY television channels. He alleged that a fascist organisation of Karachi was behind the threats to journalists. He said the threats and restrictions on the media were aimed at concealing truth from the public. Praising lawyers and journalists, he said they were playing a role that should have been played by political parties. Abdur Rahim Ziaratwal of the Pakthunkhwa Milli Awami Party said media was the fourth pillar of the state and an assault on this institution was a dangerous move, which would not be allowed.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat3.htm |
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Owners oppose channels closure without show cause notices |
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Media freedom to stay, says Durrani
A meeting between the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting and Private Broadcast Channels Association (PBA) on Tuesday discussed the recent developments in government-media relations. Both the government and the private channels reiterated their resolve to uphold the integrity of Pakistan, its armed forces, the judiciary, religious, social and cultural values of Pakistan. It was agreed that all broadcasts and programmes would avoid expressions against the judiciary and integrity of the armed forces of Pakistan. The Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Muhammad Ali Durrani, reiterated that the freedom enjoyed by the media in Pakistan had come to stay and no attempt was afoot to curb the freedom of expression, information, press and their independence. He emphasised that the government took pride in having pioneered the establishment of private television and radio channels in Pakistan and consider it a source of strength for both democracy and accountability. Having facilitated the birth and growth of the electronic media in the private sector of Pakistan, President Pervez Musharraf is keen that it grows healthier and strong without any let and hindrance from any quarter. In the same spirit, the television channel owners demanded necessary amendments in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) laws, rules and regulations to bring them in consonance with the principle of natural justice that no body should be condemned unheard which is a basic fundamental and constitutional right of every citizen of Pakistan. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8345 |
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BBC Urdu |
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Ordinance to gag media alarms CPJ |
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The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday expressed alarm over a presidential ordinance that sharply curtails freedom of Pakistani broadcasters to report opposition events. The ordinance enacted on Monday arms the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) with the power to halt broadcasters’ transmissions, shut down offices, seize equipment and revoke licences. The measure also increases fines for violators of Pemra regulations from Rs1 million to Rs10 million, according to the Associated Press, the BBC, and local media reports. “This presidential decree is another brick in the wall of censorship that the government is building to shield itself at a time of political upheaval,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. “We call on the government to rescind the decree immediately.” Referring to the blocking of transmissions of some TV channels, he said: “The blocking of these independent broadcasters from cable distribution is naked intimidation. Aaj TV, ARY One TV and Geo News TV must be allowed to resume broadcasting in Pakistan.”
(News-2)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg7_2 |
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Media is chained again |
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Sindhi press review by Shahid Shah
The media has been again chained. The Sindhi press last week highlighted reports related to media ordinances besides threats to journalists. The Daily Kawish wrote there has been no decline in atrocities towards journalists in the country. The rulers are showing intolerance by curbing the media. Besides, some groups wanting the media to follow their instructions have shown their anger against journalists. The intolerant groups are issuing lists of journalists and sending bullet-parcels to underline the consequences of narrating the truth. The daily wrote the media highlighted the true reflection of the situation of any society but the people expected it to play the role of their liking.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59354 |
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Crackdown on TV channels
British media terms Musharraf an ‘old-fashioned dictator’ |
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The British media on Tuesday strongly criticised a massive crackdown on popular Pakistani television channels, including Geo, saying that it has established that General Musharraf has become an “old-fashioned dictator”. The Times warned that Pakistan edged closer to a full state of emergency on Monday with the imposition of strict controls on newspapers and television channels in an attempt to contain anti-government protests. President Musharraf issued a decree banning coverage of demonstrations against his government and any criticism of the armed forces. Almost all British newspapers have splashed stories about the crackdown on the media. The media reports indicate that the crackdown has further dented the credibility of Gen Musharraf in the West, as the British media has blasted him for his action against Pakistani television channels by giving sweeping powers to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8340 |
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Demonstrations held to protest Pemra Ordinance |
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The provincial capital remained the hub of protest demonstrations and rallies on Tuesday to condemn PEMRA Ordinance that restricts the electronic media from live coverage, crackdown, arrests and raids at the offices and residences of the political, religious and civil society organisations continued.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Fb_ShortNewsT.aspx?fbshortid=1975&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current&bcatid=14&bstatus=Current |
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Civil society assails new curbs on media |
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Leaders and activists of different political parties and bodies representing journalists on Tuesday held a protest demonstration against the promulgation of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 in front of the Governor’s House, demanding of the federal government to immediately withdraw the “draconian law”. The call for the protest demonstration was made by the Khyber Union of Journalists to condemn the measure taken by the government to “gag the media”.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat27.htm |
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PPP and PML-N reject amended PEMRA Ord, support journalists’ protest |
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The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) and Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz (PML-N) on Tuesday rejected the amended PEMRA Ordinance imposing new restrictions on private TV channels and expressed solidarity with journalists against the curbs.
(Nation-2)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg7_13 |
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ANP blasts govt move to muzzle media |
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Awami National Party president Asfandyar Wali Khan on Tuesday condemned promulgation of the Pemra (Amendment) Ordinance 2007 by Gen Pervez Musharraf, and termed the move a reflection of the “growing degeneration of military dictatorship into a totalitarian system.” In a statement issued here on Tuesday, Mr Asfandyar pledged that his party, alongside other democratic forces, would firmly resist curbs imposed on the media, adding that the Musharraf’s days in power had been numbered. That was why the government was resorting to draconian measures. Mr Khan said the ordinance had exposed the tall claims made by the government about “free media in the country”. The ANP president held out an assurance to the community of journalists that his party firmly stood behind them in their struggle for freedom of the press since the gagging of the media would not affect all the sections of society.
(News-1)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat28.htm |
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TUJ flays killing of tribal journalist |
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Tribal Union of Journalists announced to continue its protest against killing of its Central Vice President Dr Noor Hakim Khan till the culprits were brought to book. Decision was taken in a meeting at Bajur Press club with TUJ Bajur agency president in the chair.
(News-3)
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Journalists protest |
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Journalists and civil society organisations on Tuesday protested against the presidential ordinance giving the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) sweeping powers to control the media. Representatives of the Punjab Union of Journalists, the Lahore Press Club, the Pakistan Electronic Media Journalists Association, the Joint Action Committee, the Pakistan Labour Party and other organisations protested against the changes to the laws governing the media. They demanded that the ordinance should be taken back immediately and the right to information of the people must be restored. “By taking the media freedom back, the government is taking anti-democratic steps”.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat44.htm |
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Journalists protest across Sindh |
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Journalists across Sindh protested on Tuesday against blocking of transmission of two private TV channels and amendments to Pemra Ordinance. Journalists under the aegis of Hyderabad Union of Journalists (HUJ) demonstrated outside the press club. Senior journalists Abdul Hafeez Abid, Shahid Sheikh, and the HUJ office-bearers Farhan Effendi, Yasin Rahi, Adeel Pathan led demonstrators. NAWABSHAH: Journalists of Nawabshah staged a protest demonstration outside local press club. They carried banners and placards and raised slogans against the government. NAUSHAHRO FEROZE: Journalists took out a rally from local the press club and after marching on different roads came back. They condemned the amendments in Pemra ordinance.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat48.htm
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59351
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KPC assails ordinance |
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A meeting of the governing body of the Karachi Press Club on Tuesday criticised the promulgation of Pemra Ordinance imposing fresh restrictions on the electronic media. It condemned the registration of cases against journalists for taking part in a demonstration against media curbs in Islamabad. It condemned the action taken by the government to block the launching of Dr Ayesha Siddiqua’s book -– Military Inc -– in Islamabad and made an offer to the author to launch the book at the Karachi Press Club.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat24.htm |
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Lawyers burn copies of Pemra Ord |
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Lawyers on Tuesday burnt copies of Pemra (amendment) Ordinance, 2007 on the Lower Mall and observed a hunger strike against what they termed an attempt to gag press. Lawyers of the Lahore Bar Association burnt the copies and that of Supreme Court Bar Association observed the hunger strike. Around 200 LBA lawyers gathered on The Lower Mall, who tore apart the copies and set them on fire. Among those who attended the hunger strike were Punjab vice-president of Supreme Court Bar Association Sahibzada Anwar Hamid, secretary Zulfiqar Ali Bokhari, executive members, Mian Yousaf Umar, Khwaja Tariq Suhail, Haji Rafi Siddiqi and media coordinator Muhammad Azhar Siddiqui. The lawyers’ bodies announced that their upcoming rally on Thursday (tomorrow) would focus only on the ordinance and the curbs being placed on media in a bid to keep people away from facts. The rally would be called `Freedom of Press Rally’, said the Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA). The SCBA, Punjab Bar Council, LHCBA and LBA said they had rejected amendments to the ordinance.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat43.htm |
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Lawyers slam Pemra amendment ordinance |
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The recently announced amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) were unanimously criticised on Tuesday by lawyers of the Sindh High Court, the City Courts and the Malir District Courts. Speakers told their respective bars that the move constituted an attempt to strangle Pakistan’s media.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/local4.htm |
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Lawyers protest media - gags |
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The District Bar Association (DBA) on Tuesday condemned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) (Amendment) Ordinance 2007, and urged the government to immediately withdraw it. The ordinance has put new restrictions on electronic media and empowered PEMRA to seize broadcasts, confiscate the service equipment of channels, seal their offices, and suspend licences if they violate PEMRA rules. The DBA passed a resolution, moved by Farooq Ahmed Awan and Sajid Khan Tanoli, which says that the new ordinance is an attempt to gag media freedom and that the government is using PEMRA to punish private TV channels by suspending their programmes and issuing notices to them.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg11_1 |
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KhUJ, PPC protest PEMRA ordinance |
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People protested in front of the Governor’s House on Tuesday to criticise the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA, Amendment) Ordinance 2007. Lawyers, civil society representatives, traders and leaders of political parties also joined the demonstration organised by the Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) and Peshawar Press Club (PPC).
(News-2)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg7_20 |
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Curbs on media may backfire: expert |
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Noted scholar Khan Muhammad Khan the founder of Association of Colored People of the World has said gagging media might prove too costly for present rulers.
(Nation-3)
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New Pemra legislation revives controversy |
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Tariq Butt reports, “the issuance of presidential ordinance has revived an old controversial debate over such instant legislation. Even Supreme Court once took note of such high speed law making without parliament.”
(News-9)
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Demand for withdrawal of Pemra ordinance |
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Opposition leader in the Senate and a key People’s Party Parliamentarians (PPP) leader Mian Raza Rabbani has condemned the regime for issuing the Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Ordinance, 2007 and termed it “blackest of black laws”. In a statement here on Tuesday, Mr Rabbani said this was a crude attempt by the regime to gag the media. Mr Rabbani said this assault of the regime on the media would be resisted as the combined opposition in the Senate had already filed a resolution under Article 89 of the Constitution for disapproval of this amended ordinance. He also assured the journalists community of his party’s continued support. The PPP leader said in the recent past, the regime engineered the attack on Geo Television’s office in Islamabad, issued notices under Pemra Act to other electronic media, intermittently the transmissions of various electronic media were stopped by the regime, the six hours firing at the Aaj offices in Karachi by the coalition partners of the regime and finally the sending of bullets to three journalists in Karachi were some of the attempts that the regime had made to stifle the media from reporting the truth.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat10.htm |
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Parties raise alarm over media curbs: Pemra amendment ordinance |
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The Pakistan People’s Party calling the curbs on media a desperate act of a dying regime criticised the government and expressed its solidarity with journalists in their struggle for fundamental rights and freedom of press. LABOUR PARTY: The Labour Party Pakistan condemning the arrest of its Central General Secretary Comrade Farooq Tariq and the Pemra amendment ordinance has announced province-wide protests for Wednesday, a reporter adds. SUNNI TEHRIK: A protest demonstration against the Pemra restrictions on electronic media was held outside Karachi Press Club, PPI adds. The demonstration was organised by the Karachi chapter of Sunni Tehrik.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/local9.htm |
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MQM appeals for lifting of media curbs |
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The Muttahida Qaumi Movement has appealed to the federal minister for information and the electronic media regulator to take notice of the ban on transmissions of private television channels, and resolve the issue with mutual understanding. In a statement issued from London on Tuesday, convenor Muttahida Coordination Committee Dr Imran Farooq said that his party believed in freedom of expression and it had time and again raised the issue of implementation of the seventh Wage Board Award in the National Assembly.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat23.htm |
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Nawaz Imran condemn curbs on media |
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Mian Nawaz Sharif and Imran Khan have strongly condemned the attack on media followed by wide spread of political workers across country.
(News-9)
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PPP condemns restrictions on electronic media |
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Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Rawalpindi chapter on Tuesday staged a demonstration to record their concern over the media curbs imposed by the government and to show solidarity with the journalists community in this time of trial. Lead by PPP City President MNA Zamurad Khan advocate, MPAs Anjum Farooq Piracha and Ishtiaq Mirza, Anjum Farooq Piracha, lady activists Sumaira Gul and other leaders PPP activists gathered outside Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club. They were chanting slogans against the rulers and condemning the curbs imposed on electronic media.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/6/nationalnews3.php |
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Khuhro flays registration of cases against journalists |
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PPP leader Nisar Ahmed Khuhro on Monday condemned the registration of cases against the journalists and media persons who were protesting peacefully against black law issued by General Musharraf to gag the press. He termed these draconian law and actions by the regime as a naked violation of constitution and democratic norms. In a press statement issued here, he pointed out that following conspiracies against country’s main political parties, the regime has also started conspiracies against state institutions like judiciary and the press. The regime seems to put at stake the country and whole nation to save its sinking boat. Nisar Khuhro recalled that tin-pot dictator General Zia had also used similar highhandedness against the patriotic political workers, and journalists and churned out dozens of ordinances and subjected them to lashes, torture cells and jails. But the dictator’s vanished into thin air but the truth still prevails.
He said the arrests of PPP leaders in Punjab, initiation of case against journalists, and gagging press through the unconstitutional ordinance are all part of the same conspiracy but all these cruel steps cannot save the sinking boat of the regime.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/6/nationalnews11.php |
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Lal Masjid declares media struggle a - jihad |
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Lal Masjid clerics on Tuesday declared media struggle against the government a ‘jihad’ and supported the journalist community in its protest against the government’s curb on electronic media. Lal Masjid deputy in-charge Maulana Abdul Rashid Ghazi said: “Criticising wrong polices of the government and speaking truth before a cruel ruler is also a jihad.” He said curbing restrictions on private TV channels was not only a violation of human rights but also a violation of international laws. “The government has no courage to bear a mere criticism of the media,” he added. Maulana Ghazi said the Lal Masjid administration has extended full support to the media in its struggle against government’s restrictions on the freedom of press.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat6.htm |
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Restrictions on media slammed |
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Lawyers, opposition leaders and journalists from Attock on Tuesday slammed curbs on media saying that restricting freedom of media was not a good omen for democracy in Pakistan.
(Dawn-18)
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Letter to Editor “Slaying the media” |
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AN oppressed journalist Balochistan, “It’s time for the journalist community to show their unity and strength and close ranks like the bench and the bar have done. Press clubs and the journalist community have to form their own strategy to counter the measures taken to enslave media and press.”
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg3_7 |
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Letter to Editor “Media under siege” |
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Amir Iftikhar “The media in Pakistan is under siege by the government of General Musharraf. In recent months, the electronic media have eagerly aired programmes with critical views. The authorities have made many blunders in recent months such as the killing of children in a madressah, the dismissal of the head of the judiciary, attacks by the police and pro-government activists on journalists and property, unlawful detention and abuse of opposition politicians and more. After each blunder, the resentment against the government within the ranks of intellectuals, media, lawyers, human rights activists and retired military servicemen has increased to a boiling point. Many are wary that General Musharraf is turning into an oppressive autocrat who is commanding the affairs of Pakistan as if the country is his private army.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59283 |
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Dawn Editorial “Curbs on the media” |
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“As the election approaches, people expect the atmosphere to improve rather than become tense and stifling. The noose around the media is tightening; today, it is the electronic part of the freedom of expression, tomorrow it may be print journalism. The journalists’ reaction has been spontaneous, and there is no doubt that the government will invite serious censure from abroad, since Pakistan’s internal scene is being closely watched by the world. Internally, there will be more protests, more rights bodies and liberal sections of the opinion will join hands, and there will be greater turmoil, which the military-led government could find difficult to control. The government should note one simple rule in such situations: the greater the repression, the greater the resolve for defending freedom.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/ed.htm#1 |
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Daily Times Editorial “Is govt’s ‘conquest’ of the media in the public interest? |
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“By curbing the electronic media through an ordinance on Monday, President General Pervez Musharraf has put an end to an era that he ushered in himself, that of free reporting and free discussion. Now only the Taliban in their seized territories in Pakistan will be able to operate because he has lost the war for FM radio waves there. Clearly, in the absence of success in so many areas, he needed a victory somewhere. The gag ordinance has given him that victory, albeit a pyrrhic one.”
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg3_1 |
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Jang Editorial |
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Jang Editorial, ‘Deteriorating relations between media and government’ comments, “government should tell media about violations of rules. Media and government should hold talks to find settlement. This is only way to defy complaints.”
(Jang-Editorial)
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Jang Editorial - Further bans on media |
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Jang columnists Irshad Ahmed Haqqani comments in ‘Further bans on media’ “gulf between civil society and government is widening . Government should review its policies. Otherwise confrontation may further aggregate.”
(Jang-Column)
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Khabrain Editorial - Amendments in Pemra Ord |
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Khabrain Editorial titling Amendments in Pemra Ord comments, “Government should not be harsh to agitators as it can open new front against government.”
(Khabrain-Editorial)
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Zabta-i-Manmani |
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Nawa-i-Waqt columnist Irshad Ahmed Arif in column Zabta-i-Manmani (Code of Own Will) comments “bans are not new for journalists. They know to defy illegal bans.”
(Nawa-i-Waqt-4)
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Nawa-i-Waqt Editorial |
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Nawa-i-Waqt Editorial comments, “Pemra ordinance is issue of great loss for government. Government should avoid conflict and point of no return. Government should take steps to end confrontation.
(Nawa-i-Waqt- Editorial)
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New media, old politics —Munir Attaullah |
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“The ideal of an open society has always had powerful enemies, and continues to do so. Can the media activities of the government be best understood in this context? Think of the recent cowardly attempt to subvert the launch of a scholarly book and try and blunt the main thrust of its contents by the whimpering generality that ‘it contains many factual errors’.”
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg3_4 |
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The News Editorial “Arbitrary & unjust” |
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It seems that the government is readying itself for a war on the media, particularly the electronic one, in the country. This is most unfortunate and troubling given that it already has one problematic front -- the ongoing judicial crisis with the legal community up in arms against it -- to deal with. What else can one make of the several amendments announced by the government on Tuesday in the laws regulating the electronic media? Coming in the midst of the judicial crisis and increasing pressure being applied by the government on the print and electronic media on coverage of the crisis and its related rallies and protests, the changes have been made via a presidential ordinance, just a few days before the National Assembly was to meet in session. In this context, it would be fair to say that the sole aim of the changes is to bring the media in general, and the electronic one in particular, to a point of submission.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59284 |
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Nation Editorial “Acting against the times” |
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“The PEMRA (Amendment) Ordinance (2007) following on the heels of another amendment that prohibited live coverage of events relating to the judicial crisis further tightens PEMRA’s stranglehold over the electronic media. The authority to confiscate equipment and seal premises without consulting the council of complaints approved only last February – these two amendments hardly endorse Mr Durrani’s contention that the media is free. They only point to a serious malady that has overtaken the authorities: nervousness over the mounting display of public opposition and insecurity. Needless to say that these tactics are obsolete; they have never worked. Live coverage of events is what the electronic media is all about and if it is disallowed to present that, it would be hard to find the justification for its existence.”
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/6/editorials1.php |
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Post Editorial “Curbs on media” |
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The government has done what it should have avoided doing for a simple reason: citizens of a country that claims to be a democracy cannot be denied their right to information. This right is enshrined in Pakistan’s constitutional article 19, which provides for freedom of expression as well as right to have access to information. This right to know has been taken away by this government by introducing 11 amendments to the Pemra law through a presidential ordinance. The ordinance, titled the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Amendment) Ordinance (2007), authorises Pemra to confiscate the equipment of broadcasters and seal the premises without consulting the council of complaints. The provision of the said council was one of the amendments to the Pemra law passed three months back.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=100917&catid=10 |
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Confront the extremists not civil society by Shireen M Mazari |
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“If the state is in a mood to flex its muscles, it should surely be against these extremist law breakers, not the media which simply reports ground realities or civil society which is employing peaceful means of protest. If the state can have dialogue with extremists, surely it should be able to adopt a policy of national reconciliation, embracing all its citizens and all shades of opinion -- barring those groups that have violent agendas out of consonance with our Constitution. Of course, in times of crisis there is a tendency to adopt a siege mentality and there are many vested interests that advise this erroneous course to the leadership. Yet this is exactly what has to be avoided. Leadership demands magnanimity and accommodation, not confrontationist posturing.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59286 |
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Gagging the media by Nasim Zehra |
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“The step of clamping down on the media meanwhile would have been amusing for its simplicity and naivety had it not been in the times of internet, cable and satellite television. It is a worrying step for all Pakistanis who believe that those at the helm of affairs can do with more wisdom, competence and humility. The march for change in Pakistan is unstoppable as is the freedom of the media.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59290 |
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The News Cartoon |
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http://thenews.jang.com.pk/stocks/2007-06-06/cartoon.htm |
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Daily Times Cartoon |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg3_8 |
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Dawn Cartoon |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/cart.htm |
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Media in Court
Clampdown on media challenged |
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A new ordinance imposing sweeping curbs on the electronic media was challenged in the Supreme Court here on Tuesday and the petition requested the court to declare it against the fundamental rights guaranteed in the Constitution. Similar petitions challenging the ordinance were also filed in the Lahore High Court and Sindh High Court.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg1_5 |
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MD Tahir moves LHC against ordinance |
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Advocate MD Tahir on Tuesday moved the Lahore High Court (LHC) against the PEMRA (Amendment) Ordinance 2007. In his petition, Tahir said that the ordinance had authorised the PEMRA to cancel licences, confiscate broadcasting equipment and seal buildings of television channels. The petitioner submitted that the government claimed the media was free but it was not true. He said it was the duty of the media to freely cover events because this right had been guaranteed under article 19 of the Constitution. “Vulgar dances and obscene movies are being shown through the cable but the PEMRA does not ban them,” he added.
(Nation-2)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg13_5 |
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Lawyers to file petition against Pemra Ord |
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Lawyers at the City Courts will file a petition against the Pemra Ordinance on behalf of the journalist community for blocking the transmission of news channels and violence against the media, Naeem Qureshi, General Secretary Karachi Bar Association, told The News. He said that after receiving the copy of the ordinance, the lawyers would file a petition against the illegal move prohibiting the media to present the truth to the people, which, he said, was the responsibility of the journalists. He also said that the lawyer community fully endorsed journalists’ plan for a black day and would join hands in their struggle for the freedom of speech, as both the judiciary and media were being victimised for raising their voice for the truth. Meanwile, at a general body meeting of the KBA, lawyers also passed a censure motion condemning the government for crushing the voice of media, adding that such a retrogressive step would damage the image of the government internationally as well as internally and further erode its credibility. The lawyers stayed away from the courts for one hour and five of the lawyers sat on a token hunger strike. On Thursday, said Naeem Qureshi, former ISI chief, General Hameed Gul, will address the Bar, while former COAS Mirza Aslam Beg will speak to the legal representative on Saturday.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59371 |
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Damages suit against Pemra chief planned |
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Damages suit of Rs200 million each will be filed against the federal information secretary and the managing director of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for violating service rules by facilitating the establishment in implementing its agenda to gag the press. This was announced by Barrister Aitzaz Ahsan, counsel for Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry, at a press conference here on Tuesday. He accused both the officials of playing a leading role in conspiracies being hatched against the media. Mr Ahsan alleged that the information secretary was attending political meetings with the minister for communications and the minister for information against the service rules. He warned the government officials to refrain from violating basic constitutional and legal provisions in implementing the agenda of the government. Mr Ahsan asked all district bars to file lawsuits against those officials who had become tool in the hands of the management, adding: “Lawyers will appear in the court voluntarily against these officials. And the day will come when the damage will be recovered through the liquidation of their assets.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/top5.htm |
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Media Miscellaneous
Govt to target print media next |
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The government is planning to introduce another law to restrict publication of “objectionable” cartoons and editorial comments in national and regional newspapers, Daily Times learnt on Tuesday. Sources said that the National Security Council (NSC), which met here with President General Pervez Musharraf on Monday, had decided to promulgate an ordinance to restrict publication of objectionable cartoons or articles in newspapers and magazines that may defame the armed forces or other state institutions. This follows the government introducing amendments in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance 2002 on Monday, placing restrictions on electronic media. The NSC has directed the Law and Justice Ministry to draft the ordinance restricting print media, sources said. Inter-Provincial Coordination Minister Salim Saifullah Khan presented the idea of holding phased elections in the country, which was rejected for fear of angering opposition political parties. Sources said the NSC said the general elections would be held on time, while the president vowed not to support any political party or individual found responsible for the violence in Karachi.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg1_6 |
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Cabinet bypassed on Pemra ordinance |
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The president promulgated the Pemra ordinance Monday in violation of the rules of business, which were protected by the Constitution. Dubbed as a black law, obviously introduced to gag the electronic media, the latest Pemra ordinance has been issued in violation of the mandatory condition set by the rules of business that every draft law must be approved before its enactment by parliament or promulgation through an ordinance. Sources said that the ordinance was issued by the president without getting the mandatory nod from the federal cabinet.The rules of business, which are made under Article 99 of the Constitution, use the word “shall” on the question of cabinet’s consideration of the legislation before it is formally enacted or promulgated.
(Jang-1)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8339 |
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Ruling PML leaders shocked over moves against media |
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Although there is no mention of the media or its freedom in the ruling Pakistan Muslim League manifesto, many leaders of the party have been taken aback by the recent moves aimed at gagging the media. Insiders told The News here on Tuesday that the recent actions against the electronic media shocked many key leaders of the PML, who advocated a via media to resolve the “standoff”. They did not hesitate to insist that why for a possible misconduct by one, two or three channels, all the channels be put under an unnecessary check, which could cost the party dearly in the coming weeks and months. What one finds by going through the PML manifesto is a two-liner that a special television channel would be set up to cover parliamentary proceedings live. PML President Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain had called for shooting those who would heap criticism on the armed forces or any other state institution. For the media, the PML leaders also had a word of advice. They argued that by conducting surveys, television channels could have also given the rulers options to handle the judicial crisis and the scale, and level of its coverage. But these channels, they charged, focused mainly on projection of the crisis. Background interviews with a few of them revealed that as the rulers grossly mishandled the issue of presidential reference against Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, they also were at fault in 'handling' the media. Some of them talked to this correspondent but on condition of anonymity.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8346 |
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PEMRA advertisement |
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PEMRA has given an advertisement to leading papers depicting the message of President of Pakistan to media. “During the last 5 years 45 private TV channels and 104 radio stations and the march continues.
(News-3)
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State Department’s two faces on media |
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The contrast between the mildly-worded expression of support given to media freedom by the State Department on Monday in the case of Pakistan and Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice’s resounding denunciation of the closure by Venezuela of a single TV station has not gone unnoticed here.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg1_8 |
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Govt committed to media freedom, says Durrani |
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Federal Information and Broadcasting Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani on Tuesday said that the government is committed to media freedom and would stand by this policy. “Press freedom is the commitment and conviction of this government,” he said while taking to journalists here after his meeting with a media delegation from Afghanistan. Media freedom in the country “is our credit and would be maintained,” he said, pointing out that Pakistan is the only country with unprecedented media freedom in the entire region. He alleged that the talk of “curbs” is a result of an environment created by certain elements that want to develop a government-media confrontation and foster misunderstandings. He said that the PEMRA ordinance has been promulgated with some procedural changes.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg7_14 |
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Electronic media will be provided DTH services |
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The government is making efforts to electronic media and provide them with Direct to Home (DTH) service for uninterrupted transmission, said Muhammad Ali Durrani while talking to Geo TV.
(Daily Times-B3)
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Pemra bill hits government reputation, says Afgan |
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Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi on Tuesday said that the Pemra amended bill should not have been issued as it damaged the government's reputation. Talking in Aaj TV programme "Bolta Pakistan", the minister said there was no need to promulgate the ordinance in emergency, as the issue could have been resolved through negotiations with all stakeholders. Niazi suggested that a meeting should be held between President General Pervez Musharraf and all the stakeholders and resolve the issue with mutual understanding and consultations. The ordinance should be withdrawn, he demanded. He further said the government could have achieved the objectives without amending the ordinance. Niazi said Pemra Ordinance was made with the consultation of all the stakeholders and he was the chairman of the committee, which drafted this ordinance that was highly appreciated.
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http://www.aaj.tv/news/news.php?pg=3&show=detail&nid=68586 |
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Media unduly raises judicial crises: Rashid |
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Federal Minister for Railways Shiekh Rashid Ahmed has said that media has unduly raised issue of judiciary. Commenting on government amendments in Pemra rules, he said “Government takes such step when here is no option. There would be some serious reasons for this step but the matters would be resolved amicably.”
(Nation-5)
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Nouriazr asks media to take positive side of ordinance |
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Minister for Science and Technology Nouriaz Shakoor Khan has stressed those who are unnecessarily using media as crutch to gain prominence must not be given chance to succeed. He asked media to look at positive side of Pemra ordinance.
(Nation-5)
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Dish antenna installed for Chief Justice after ban on media |
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Dish antenna has been installed at official residence of Chief Justice Ifhtikhar Mohammad to watch uninterrupted transmission of TV channels after closure of transmission of private TV channels by government.
(Khabrian-1)
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NA body to debate curbs on media |
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The National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting has been requisitioned to discuss the reported restrictions on private television channels by the government. Opposition members Liaquat Baloch, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, Aijaz Jakhrani, Fauzia Habib and Farzana Bangush have signed the requisition for the discussion. It was submitted with the National Assembly Secretariat on Tuesday under Rule 22(4) of the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly, 2007. The committee chairperson Begum Rehana Aleem Mushhadi is bound to call the meeting on this matter within 14 days. The opposition members are likely to press the chairperson for open proceedings of the committee so that people could also know about the meeting’s output. Begum Mushhadi told Daily Times that she would abide by the rules and call the meeting within the prescribed time. She said she would also try to ensure presence of the information minister in the meeting to answer questions of the committee members.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg11_2 |
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Karachi bloodbath, gag on media to haunt NA session |
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An unpunished bloodshed in Karachi and the government’s latest crackdown against the electronic media and opposition activists will haunt the National Assembly’s last budget session beginning on Wednesday.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/top4.htm |
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Info officer killed in Peshawar |
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Unidentified assailants gunned down NWFP Information Department Director Syed Mehdi Hussain on Tuesday in Janda Bazaar, police said. Police officials told Daily Times that Mehdi Hussain was shot on the way to his office by two or three assailants at around 8:30am. Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Abdul Majeed Marwat told Daily Times that police are investigating the murder, adding that it did not seem to be a target or sectarian killing. Hussain left behind two sons, a daughter and a widow.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg1_4 |
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Plane carrying journalists not allowed to land at Kabul airport |
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C-130 plane carrying Journalists to Kabul to cover the Prime Minister’s trip to Afgnistan was not allowed to land Kabul airport for more than one and half hours. Plane remained in air waiting for landing permission. Later permission was given as plane crew decided to return to Pakistan.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-1)
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Open University will draft code of conduct for media |
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Mass Communication department of Allama Iqbal Open University will draft code of conduct for media. It was stated by Vice Chancellor Allama Iqbal Open University while addressing a seminar in mass communication department.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-3)
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Police announce arrest of two involved in murder of Daniel Pearl |
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Police said on Tuesday that they arrested two suspected militants wanted in the 2002 kidnapping and murder of US journalist Daniel Pearl. Attaur Rehman and Faisal Bhatti were arrested on Monday in Kashmor, a town northeast of Karachi, said Saghir Mugheri, an area police officer. However, a lawyer for the men’s families said they were picked up by security agencies in 2003 and have been secretly held in custody since then. Mugheri said both men were members of Lashkar-e-Jhangvi, a militant organisation linked to Al Qaida. A senior detective on the team investigating Pearl’s case said Rehman is suspected of leading the gang that kidnapped Pearl in Karachi in 2002. Rehman, also known as Naim Bukhari, supervised the reporter’s detention in a shack for several days before he was killed, said the detective, who spoke on condition of anonymity. He said both suspects were also involved in the 1998 murder of two Iranian engineers in Karachi, the killing of two Shiite Muslim lawyers in 2000, and an unsuccessful attempt to release a fellow militant from a prison van in 1998 that left two guards dead.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg7_32 |
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Television
TV channels to avoid aspersions on judiciary, army |
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Government and private channels have reiterated their resolve to uphold the integrity of the country and its armed forces, judiciary, religions, and social and cultural values. A meeting between the Ministry for Information and Broadcasting and the Private Broadcast Channels discussed recent developments in government-media relations. The meeting agreed that all broadcasts and programmes would avoid aspersions on the judiciary and the armed forces. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Mohammad Ali Durrani said the freedom enjoyed by the media would continue and no attempt was being made to curb the freedom of expression. He emphasised that the government took pride in having pioneered the establishment of private TV and radio channels in Pakistan and considered it a source of strength for both democracy and accountability. Owners of TV channels demanded necessary amendments to Pemra laws to make them in consonance with the principle of natural justice that nobody should be condemned unheard, which was a basic fundamental and constitutional right of every citizen.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/06/nat5.htm |
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TV industry facing serious problems |
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Nawa-i-Waqt forum conducted debate on TV industry. Participants comment that after fall of film, theater, TV industry is also moving towards doldrums.
(Nawa-i-Waqt- Supplement)
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Cable Operators
Cable operator role criticized in blockage of transmissions |
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There is nothing bizarre if confrontation between government and media erupts in Pakistan, as people have witnessed it time and again but what is surprising and at the same time, irritating, is the imposing act of cable operators who have assumed the role of authority said media experts and general public.
(News-20)
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Telecommunication
Anti-Musharraf campaign by mobile phone |
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With the government taking increasingly stringent measures to gag the media, text messages, popularly known as SMS, critical of President General Pervez Musharraf, the government and its allies have started pouring into the mailboxes of mobile phone users. Those initiating such messages remain anonymous and the message keeps circulating. Most of the messages have a derisive tone. Some use strong language.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg7_16 |
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PTA may cancel licences of over 15 telecom firms |
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More than 15 telecom companies face the risk of cancellation of their licences as the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has issued final notice to these operators to pay more than Rs50 million dues within a month to avoid the stern action. Sources in the industry said the telecom regulator had taken the action after several notices were served on 18 such companies, which had acquired licences in several telecom categories but had not paid dues on different accounts.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=59240 |
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Obituary
Journalist dies |
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Syed Nadeem, a Pakistani journalist who had moved to Canada some years ago, died of a heart attack on Monday in Toronto. Nadeem, who worked for two local English dailies before moving abroad, suffered a heart attack on Saturday. He was rushed to the hospital where he suffered two more attacks that proved fatal. He is survived by a wife and two sons. The News report ‘loss of colleague’.
(News-14)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\06\story_6-6-2007_pg11_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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