Monday October 09, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

MEDIA PROTEST

SAFMA concerned at attacks on journalists in Pakistan

The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) has condemned the continuing rise in violence against journalists in the country over the past few months. The SAFMA has observed a serious deterioration in the security environment for journalists who are being murdered, threatened and kidnapped. The SAFMA National Executive Body met on Sunday, took stock of the aggravating situation for working journalists and feared for safety of two media-persons--Munir Mengal of the TV station Baloch Voice and Mehruddin Marri of the Sindhi-language daily newspaper Kawish, who are still missing after being kidnapped allegedly by the intelligence agencies.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNews.aspx?shortid=2622&catid=3

We condemn journalists' victimisation: SAFMA

The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) on Sunday condemned the victimisation of journalists and claimed that their murder, them receiving death threats and being kidnapped portrayed a dismal picture of Pakistan's security environment. SAFMA's National Executive Body (NEB) met in the city and analysed the situation journalists faced. It also expressed fear for the safety of journalists Munir Mengal of ‘Baloch Voice' and Mehruddin Marri of Sindhi daily ‘Kawish', who were allegedly kidnapped by intelligence agencies.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\09\story_9-10-2006_pg7_32

Safma flays violence against journalists

The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) on Sunday condemned the surge in violence against journalists in the country over the past few months, calling it a “serious deterioration” in the security environment for media. Safma national executive body, which met in Lahore, deplored what it called an aggravating situation for working journalists, and expressed its serious concern for the safety of two mediamen—Munir Mengal of the Bloch Voice TV and Mehruddin Marri of the Sindhi-language daily, Kawish,— who were still missing after being kidnapped allegedly by the intelligence agencies.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/09/nat8.htm

FM LISTENING:

Programmes on rehab in earthquake-hit areas aired

On Sunday when the nation marked the first anniversary of Oct 8 earthquake, an independent radio programme project, ‘Meri Awaz Suno', aired news and views programmes about the ongoing reconstruction and rehabilitation work in quake-stricken areas of Azad Kashmir and NWFP. During these programmes that remained on-air for some fifteen minutes under the title ‘Zandgi Aik Saal Bad' (Life After One Year), the students of Government High School Balakot- considered the best across Azad Kashmir for quality education and availability of modern facilities like science and computer laboratories, were interviewed, grievances of displaced persons of Balakot who are currently living in Bakriyal were highlighted, and the conflicts between property owners and tenants in the disaster-hit localities…….. The Post, Page-A-2

Jolie disappointed at not filming in Pakistan

LOS ANGELES: Angelina Jolie says she and Brad Pitt are disappointed they are not shooting "A Mighty Heart," a film about US journalist Daniel Pearl, in Pakistan where he was abducted and murdered in 2002. Security concerns there caused officials to suggest they work elsewhere. So with the exception of a few background scenes shot in Pakistan, "A Mighty Heart" will be made in the western Indian city of Pune.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=27531

MEDIA RELEASE

Book on Oct 8 quake launched

The entire nation displayed exemplary unity in the wake of the devastating earthquake of October 8, 2005. Journalists were also not left behind. Not only did they risk their lives in covering the devastations of the earthquake, some of them also recorded their experiences in book form. To coincide with the first anniversary of the earthquake, journalist Nizamuddin Siddiqui's 144-page book Oct 8 earthquake- Portraits of grief, and of hope was launched at the Karachi Press Club Sunday.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\09\story_9-10-2006_pg12_3

Journalist chronicles the tragedy

‘Porters of grief and of hope', a book penned by journalist Nizamuddin Siddiqui, was launched on Sunday to coincide with the first anniversary of the massive temblor that shook Pakistan's north, because this is the event which the book delves into. The book has been written in English. The publishers said its Urdu version will soon be out. The book has been divided into two parts, the first one devoted to chronicling the misery and trauma of the quake-stricken and the second to looking at the role of government and NGOs in the relief effort.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=27509

Documentary depicts courage, sacrifices

When the mountains moved on October 8 2005, the world saw the unshakable strength of humanity. In a world bitterly divided, rose a sense of brotherhood defying boundaries of the entire world and humanity became the religion. The 30 minutes documentary film titled “When the Mountains Moved: Survival and Friendship in the 2005 Earthquake, was screened by The Asia Foundation. It commemorated the bond of humanity, and showed how people from different worlds, speaking different languages and worshipping different gods brought out the best in humanity.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/09/nat20.htm

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.