Wednesday November 08, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

‘Internet Media City' project soon

Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister for Information Technology Noman Saigal, on Tuesday disclosed that the Sindh government has planned to develop an ‘Internet Media City' in Karachi to promote information technology and media in the metropolis. Addressing a press conference, he said the ‘Internet Media City' would cover almost 200 acres of land and it would be developed on lines with Dubai Media City. Saigal informed that the Sindh government was working on e-policing project, in which more than 400 police stations of Karachi would be computerised in the first phase. Through this project, recovery of stolen cars and other vehicles could be made easier, he added. Saigal said that this project would be connected with FM radio, which will not only guide citizens to ensure smooth flow of vehicular traffic but also provide them with healthy entertainment. The records of cases in all the courts, would be computerized too.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=31104

Hearing against journalists housing colony postponed

A division bench of the Lahore High Court postponed a hearing till November 15 on inter-court appeals against establishment of a journalists colony, as the Punjab advocate general did not appear because he was ill. The bench had already restrained the authorities from evicting more than 21 residents from the site of the proposed Journalist Housing Colony in Harbanspura. Appellants Robina Javaid and others challenged a single bench's order whereby their petitions against the proposed colony were dismissed.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\08\story_8-11-2006_pg7_40

Adjournment motion on journalist's murder

Expressing concern over the murder of journalist Muhammad Ismail Malik, the Alliance for Restoration of Democracy (ARD) on Tuesday submitted an adjournment motion in the National Assembly demanding the issue be debated in the house. Members of the ARD have stated in the adjournment motion that Malik's murder was a cause of concern for the opposition.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\08\story_8-11-2006_pg11_6

Media enjoying unprecedented freedom, says minister

Present government is fully aware of the importance of media and freedom being enjoyed by media in the present regime has no precedent in the past. Media has been deemed fourth pillar of the state but it has gained greater importance than that in the face of the challenges faced by the world. These views were expressed by the Punjab Agri Marketing Minister, Rana Muhammad Qasim Noon while addressing a workshop on 'Media and Present Challenges' held here at the Regional Campus of Allama Iqbal Open University.

http://www.thefrontierpost.com/News.aspx?ncat=hn&nid=4

ARD moves NA on Journalist's killing

The parliamentarians belonging to the Alliance for the Restoration of Democracy (ARD) took serious notice of the killing of Islamabad based journalist and submitted an adjournment motion in the National Assembly on the matter on Tuesday. Seven opposition members of the Pakistan People's Party Parliamentarians (PPPP) and Pakistan Muslim League- Nawaz sought discussion on the mysterious killing of malik Muhammad Ismail Khan under Rule 92 of the Rules of Procedures and Conduct of Business in the National Assembly 1992…. The Nation, Page-4

Intellectual Property Rights Workshop

As part of the public awareness campaign and outreach programme the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) of Pakistan in collaboration with European Union and World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has planned a national workshop on Madrid System of Trade Marks in December….. The Nation, Page-4

LETTER TO EDITOR

Crimes against journalists

THIS is in reference to Anwer Mooraj's article “Crimes against Journalists” (Nov 6). Unprecedented incidents of violence against journalists have been reported under the present regime. There are already over 50 such cases in 2006 alone including the killing of four journalists; even journalists' brothers were killed in three cases. Journalists have been targeted both by militant groups as well as by the intelligence agencies. The journalists who have recently been freed have accused intelligence agencies of physical and mental torture.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/08/letted.htm#7

COMPILED by: Sajid Gondal, Media Monitor, Internews Pakistan (www.internews.org.pk)

DISCLAIMER: The contents, including news and headlines, in this newsletter are reproduced from their respective publications ad verbatim as a public service. Internews does not author the contents and these, therefore, do not necessarily reflect organizational policy.