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RESOURCE CENTER - MEDIA MONITOR |
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Friday November 09, 2007
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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Media Mirror: 09-11-2007 |
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Attack on Media
Ban
CNN, BBC transmissions blocked again |
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CNN and BBC transmissions have been obstructed countrywide once again.
Islamabad CNN sources said that the US TV CNN and the British TV BBC transmissions in Pakistan have been blocked in Pakistan few hours before the rally of the Pakistan People’s Party Chairperson, Benazir Bhutto. Following Saturday enforcement of emergency in the country, the government had closed all the local and foreign private TV channels, however, this ban on CNN and BBC was lifted yesterday, but hardly after 24 hours both these channels have once again been blocked.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/9/latest.php |
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Censor
Dish antenna shops ‘being closed down’ |
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Police have been conducting raids on electronic markets in Rawalpindi and Karachi and asking dish antenna shop owners not to open their outlets, according to traders and eyewitnesses. “We were not shown any orders, but simply told to close down our shops,” said Muhammad Imran, who works in a shop at the Imperial Market in a congested Rawalpindi neighbourhood. Authorities have stopped sale of satellite dishes in two cities to block access to private news channels, the salesman said. Meanwhile, it is also learnt that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has allowed CNBC and Business Plus to go on air. CNBC and Business Plus have ensured that they would follow the instructions issued by Pemra and will not go against the government. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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Media Regulation
PEMRA allows transmission of specified TV channels |
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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on Thursday allowed cable operators to resume the transmission of some private TV channels. The PEMRA directed cable operators to switch on some Pakistani and foreign channels, including Indus News, TV One, Apna TV, TV Khyber, BBC World, CNN, Fox News, Sky News and CNBC. Transmission of a number of TV channels was banned on November 3 after the president imposed a state of emergency in the country. The majority of journalists are considering PEMRA’s move to allow cable operators to resume broadcast of specified TV channels “a plot to divide the media”. “We have made it clear to the government in our meeting on Thursday that it’s not the right thing to do,” Mazhar Abbas, secretary general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), told Daily Times. Abbas said it appeared that the government was attempting to divide private TV channels. “These channels will face problems if they attempt to destabilise the media unity,” he said. Abbas demanded that the government withdraw the [new media] ordinance and restore broadcasts of all TV channels. Aaj TV Director News Talat Hussain said the government was “putting pressure” on independent private TV channels to sign the PEMRA-amended code of conduct. “The government wants us to sign the code of conduct under duress before they allow the channels to go on air,” he told Daily Times. He said the top management of Geo, ARY and Aaj TV was meeting to discuss the situation. staff report |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\09\story_9-11-2007_pg7_14 |
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Media Protest
Mass media murder |
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Geo Advertisement for ban on Geo Super
Geo TV Network advertisement “if emergency is for terrorists, why we are being terrorized?”
(News-1) (Jang-1)
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CPNE rejects amendments to media laws |
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The CPNE standing committee adopted a unanimous resolution rejected the amendments in media laws and expressed full solidarity with Jang group. CPNE president chaired the meeting.
(Nation-20)
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Unesco calls for free media |
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The Director-General of Unesco, Koïchiro Matsuura, on Thursday expressed concern for freedom of expression in Pakistan and expressed the hope that President Pervez Musharraf would lift restrictions on the media. Mr Matsuura was responding to the imposition of strict curbs on independent media in Pakistan, decreed on Nov 3, when President Musharraf suspended the validity of the Constitution. “I am concerned about the consequences of the emergency measures announced in Pakistan on the fundamental human right of freedom of expression,” the director-general declared.
“It is important that the citizens of Pakistan continue to have access to free information and sustain free and open debate. Freedom of expression and press freedom are integral to sustainable and peaceful democratic societies,” he concluded. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/09/top18.htm |
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Journalists observe ‘black day’ today |
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Members of various unions of journalists have decided to observe a ‘black day’ on Friday against the imposition of emergency in the country, a ban on private news channels and restrictions on the press. PFUJ has demanded immediate withdrawal of all orders, ordinances and laws restricting press freedom. KUJ has announced it will boycott all official functions and its members will wear black armbands during duty hours on Friday and Saturday to register their protest. The editorial staff of Dawn on Thursday staged a sit-in to protest against the promulgation of a state of emergency in the country and the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO). They demanded an immediate return to constitutional rule, lifting of curbs on the media and release of hundreds of illegal detainees. The KUJ Dastoori group has also declared Nov 9 a ‘black day’. It observed that the Pemra ordinance banning transmission of certain private TV channels was aimed at causing a financial loss to media organisations and punishing the journalist community. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/09/local13.htm |
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Journalists’ protest |
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Journalists throughout the country observed ‘black day’ on Friday to protest against curbs on the media and promulgation of the amended PEMRA and PPO ordinances. The protest, organised on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) was held in Islamabad, Lahore, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Peshawar, Quetta, Azad Kashmir, Gilgit, Bahawalpur, Multan, Gujranwala, Muzaffarabad and other cities. The PFUJ announced that the protest campaign would continue until their demands for the withdrawal of the amended PEMRA and PPO Ordinances, restoration of transmission of all private TV channels and FM radio networks, withdrawal of notices and cases against newspapers and journalists were accepted. The journalists also observed protest day on Saturday in major cities, including Lahore, where a protest demonstration was held outside the Lahore Press Club. BBC and CNN went off the air again on Friday when Benazir Bhutto was placed under house arrest in Rawalpindi. PEMRA stopped cable operators from broadcasting international and private Pakistani news channels at the weekend, after President General Musharraf imposed emergency rule on Saturday. The only television available to people since then, like in the past, has been the state-controlled PTV. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=128205&catid=10 |
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Journalists protest in Quetta |
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Journalists held a demonstration outside the press club here on Thursday in protest against the imposition of emergency, new curbs on media and crackdown on lawyers, media persons and political activists. The protesters had covered their mouths with black cloth as a symbol of press gag. They vowed to continue their struggle against black laws to protect fundamental rights of the people and media freedom. Meanwhile, lawyers continued the boycott of court proceedings for the fourth day.A spokesman for the Balochistan Bar Association (BBA) said members of the BBA would abide by the decision of the PBC and would continue their struggle against the government. He said they would not appear before judges who had taken the oath under the Provisional Constitution Order. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/09/nat17.htm |
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Writers’ body slams media curbs |
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The Anjuman-e-Taraqqi Pasand Musannifeen has condemned the government for “restricting freedom of expression.” In a statement issued on Thursday, the writers’ body said the country had never witnessed such curbs on free speech. It said such conditions restrict the judiciary, lawyers, citizens, journalists, writers and poets. The association demanded the government end emergency, restore the constitution, lift curbs on the media and release all political workers, lawyers and judges detained after the imposition of emergency.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\09\story_9-11-2007_pg7_50 |
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Journalists observe ‘black day’ today |
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The Khyber Union of Journalists has decided to observe November 9 and 10 as black days against the imposition of emergency. According to a press release issued Thursday, KhUJ General Secretary Nasir Hussain has said the union would actively participate in the protest campaign starting from today against emergency rule.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=127752&catid=2&date=11/09/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Curbs on dish antenna sale |
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As the demand for decoders, satellite receivers and dish antennas has increased after the imposition of emergency, the local police on Thursday asked traders not to sell them to public. They also asked them not to keep satellite antennas and their accessories at their shops. The police warned shopkeepers of harsh consequences if they did not comply with the orders.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/09/local37.htm |
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Sukkur journalists pass resolution against emergency |
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Gilgit journalists demand lifting media curbs
KUJ to observe black day today
Sukkur based journalists have demanded immediate withdrawl of emergency rule. The meeting held in Sukkur press club, chaired by president Khawaja Jawed Ahmed. Journalists criticized the role of political parties.
(Daily Times-A3) (Daily Times-A4) (Daily Times-B2)
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Press under siege | Freedom of expression by Sadaf Arshad |
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“People think that they know the truth. Some believe that the aim behind the imposition of emergency was to victimise the judiciary, the media, and civil society. Maulana Fazlullah has taken over another town after the imposition of emergency since the government is sincerely engaged in the crackdown on the lawyers, media, and civil society. General Musharraf should express his gratitude to the Bush government that has given him powerful and internationally recognised weapons of the war against terrorism. Should we not challenge the idea that in this age of information the ban on news channels is kosher, is it not a violation of the constitutional rights even if it crosses the boundary? We should be united in our belief in the freedom of expression.”
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_OpinionNews.aspx?dtlid=127775&catid=11&date=11/09/2007&fcatid=14 |
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The Nation Editorial “Gagging the media” |
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“As expected, the various media bodies like the CPNE, APNS, PFUJ and others have reacted strongly and expressed disappointment at this unfortunate, sudden turnaround. The media’s long and arduous struggle to secure its due right of freedom to report and comment had found a favourable response from the government, earning it an image of tolerance of dissent and enabling it to take pride while citing it as a mark of its democratic credentials. However, with one stroke that good image stands sullied. At a joint meeting held at Karachi on Tuesday media bodies rejected these revisions for the severe restrictions they imposed on the exercise of basic duty and demanded their withdrawal and the security of journalists, whose professional obligations entail coverage of protests, meetings and other events. That course of action, indeed, serves the larger interests of the nation. The restrictions have evoked critical comments from foreign governments as well as media. The International Federation of Journalists has fixed November 15 as ‘Global Action Day’ to protest the curtailment of media freedom. It is sincerely hoped that the powers that be would make amends by withdrawing the offending amendments without any delay.”
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/9/editorials3.php |
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The News Editorial “Assault on Media” |
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“The point is that independence of the media is a given in a polity with pretensions of democracy, especially one that had been elevated to "enlightened moderation" eight years ago. It certainly should not be claimed as a favour as many senior state functionaries are often fond of saying in public. If anything it should be realised that like many other institutions of society, the role of the media has evolved over the years and because of advancements in technology -- particularly the advent of the Internet -- it has seen immense change. This change has been more or less irreversible and has only been possible because ordinary people have a thirst for knowing what is happening inside their country and the world beyond. From the point of view of audiences, asking them to rely only on PTV would be asking for too much -- after all, equating a channel that has long since been considered to be the Master's Voice with an independent news outlet seems beyond an ordinary mortal's powers of suasion. The government must reverse its ban on the TV channels and ensure that any harassment or threats to journalists and the entire media community at large are dealt with sincerely or else people will be justified in believing that the government itself in complicit in such abominable actions.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=8 |
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Media Miscellaneous
Governors tasked for better ties |
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President Gen Pervaiz Musharraf has given task to provincial governors to reconcile terms with media. President has given directions to four provincial governors and military commanders to take measures to settle good ties with media. Jang report.
(Jang-1)
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Judiciary, media responsible for emergency, says minister |
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Federal Labour, Manpower and Overseas Pakistanis Minister Ghulam Sarwar Khan said Thursday that confrontation of the judiciary and the media with the government was the main reason for the imposition of emergency in the country. Addressing a reception hosted by the CDA Mazdoor Union (CBA), he said that terrorism and suicide attacks had also forced the government to take this step. Ghulam Sarwar Khan criticised the role of the media and the judiciary and blamed them for the imposition of emergency and the promulgation of the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO).
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=127715&catid=17&date=11/09/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Letter to Editor “Responsible media” |
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Muhammed Farooq Faizi, “ I do not support the imposition of restrictions on the media. But it must be considered that our electronic media has been irresponsible on several occasions and has misused its ‘freedom’. On several occasions in the last few months, in the race to get as many viewers as possible, TV stations trumpeted rumours emanating from unreliable circles without checking the authenticity of the story; only for the stories to be rubbished by those implicated or quoted in a few hours. Therefore, while the media should be free, it should also have integrity and an ethical code on what is fit to report. Such ethical codes exist across the world, even in Western countries with complete media freedom. However, such responsibility and ethical sense is developed through practice. Therefore, freedom of the media should be granted so that we may have a free, yet responsible and accurate, media soon.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\09\story_9-11-2007_pg3_7 |
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Swat Media Centre functional now |
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The recently established Media Centre in Mingora, the main town of Swat district, has started functioning, said an official statement issued here on Thursday. The statement stated that due to non-availability of a hall, the Media Centre was temporarily set up on premises of the Regional Information Office, Saidu Sharif, and that work was underway to complete a full fledged computerised centre equipped with all latest communication tools.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\09\story_9-11-2007_pg7_59 |
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Active media to promote people’s participation in development |
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Active media and free flow of information promotes peoples participation in decision making of country as information is like power. UNESCO representative director was giving a lecture on the topic “free flow of information and UNESCO at Fatima Jinnah University Rawalpindi.
(Daily Times-B2)
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Letter to editor “TV channels banned” |
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M.Z.RIFAT, “Some restrictions have been imposed on private TV channels. These restrictions have been imposed through a presidential ordinance promulgated at the weekend. The promulgation of the PEMRA (third amendment) Ordinance 2007 coincided with the proclamation of a state of emergency in the country by General Musharraf. There is a view that the restrictions should have been placed much earlier. We have seen enough extremism, terrorism, and militancy on the TV channels. The footage of heinous acts directly or indirectly tends to support and encourage the militants. Such telecasts should be discouraged, as these do not create a positive impact on the viewers. The amended PEMRA Ordinance also debars private channels from telecasting any material to defame or bring into disrepute the head of state, members of the armed forces, executive, legislative or judiciary of the state. President General Musharraf has all along been a strong advocate and supporter of free and independent print and electronic media. In this context, it will be quite appropriate to ask for a review of the amended PEMRA Ordinance. This will help in maintaining an atmosphere of goodwill between the media and the government. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_LetNews.aspx?dtlid=127784&catid=4&date=11/09/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Media role significant in highlighting issues: official |
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The concept of effective and welfare district government cannot be materialised without coordination with media, District Coordination Officer Ashfaque Ahmad Khan said here Thursday. “We wish to have a liaison with print and electronic media. Role of media is vital in highlighting issues and help redress grievances of masses,” he said. “Caretaker Chief Minister Shamsul Mulk is also keen on paying full attention to development of the province, particularly of Nowshera,” he added. The district coordination officer (DCO) expressed these views while addressing a ceremony held to give away cheques for Rs10,000 each to members of the Nowshera Press Club as grant for computers and motorcycle. Mufti Hakim Ali Haqqani, chairman of the information committee, presided over the ceremony while Assistant Coordination Officer Nowshera Anwar Khan was also present. Nowshera Press Club Chairman Mushtaq Paracha highlighted the core issues facing to journalists of the district. He urged the works and services department to ensure the best quality and expeditious construction work for early completion of the Nowshera Press Club building. Mufti Hakim Ali Haqqani appreciated the interest of the former chief minister and his government in providing funds to the Nowshera Press Club. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=7 |
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Radio
VOA expands Urdu new broadcasts to Pakistan |
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The Voice of America (VOA)’s Urdu Service has expanded its radio news broadcasts from five to 12.5 hours daily in response to the crisis in Pakistan and because of the blackout of private television networks by the government, which has increased radio listening dramatically. “The Pakistani government has shut down all independent media inside Pakistan,” said VOA Director Danforth Austin. “We find ourselves, along with the BBC, among the only international broadcasters currently heard inside of Pakistan.” VOA’s Urdu Service is now broadcasting an all-news format on radio in response to the government’s crackdown. VOA’s two television affiliates - GEO News and Aaj TV are off the air in Pakistan. However, VOA continues to reach the audience via radio and the Internet. Another additional Urdu radio broadcast from 11.30am to noon, Pakistan time, was added on Wednesday to supplement the 7pm to 7am, Pakistan time, live news and current affairs programming. VOA said that some highlights of its recent coverage included live interviews with former premiers Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif, who appeared on the Urdu program Roundtable Discussion, as the news blackout was being imposed in Pakistan. VOA Urdu also interviewed many Pakistani opposition figures, including Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal leader Qazi Hussain Ahmad, in addition to man-on-the-street interviews in Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Quetta, and Islamabad. Besides VOA Urdu, VOA’s six-hour Deewa Radio, which broadcasts in Pushto to the border areas of Pakistan and Afghanistan, has also switched to an all-news format to cover the crisis.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\09\story_9-11-2007_pg7_62 |
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Five day radio journalism training concludes at Uks |
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A five day training on radio journalism conducted by Uks Research Centre an Islamabad based NGO productively concluded on Nov 8.
(Daily Times-B2)
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Movies
Film crazy Pakistanis starve for movies |
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Scores of film-starved Pakistanis have been showing up at the Indian High Commission auditorium in Islamabad to watch acclaimed Bollywood movies, including Deepa Mehta’s Oscar-nominated Water. The screenings by the newly formed Cine Club of the High Commission are like an oasis in a desert for film-crazy Pakistanis, who are keen followers of the latest trends in Bollywood and among the Indian stars. At one time, Islamabad had three cinema halls - Nafdec I, Nafdec II and Melody but it has none now. But recently Rawalpindi got the country’s first five-screen cineplex.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\09\story_9-11-2007_pg7_58 |
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Video shop blown up |
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Unidentified miscreants blasted a video shop in Bala Garhi village, about eight kilometres from here, late Wednesday night. The blast at the shop owned by one Jan Said also partly damaged an adjacent mobile phone shop. However, no loss of life was reported.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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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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