| |
A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
| |
Media in Courts
Opposition in Senate rejects SC code of conduct |
| |
The combined opposition in the Senate on Thursday rejected the code of conduct purportedly issued by the Supreme Court registrar. Raising the issue of attacks on TV channel staffers and suspension of service of Geo News, ARY and Aaj in Sindh on the day of the chief justice’s visit to Lahore, the opposition said that it was all aimed at intimidating and gagging the media. “We are part of an autonomous and sovereign body and such press releases are not binding on us,” contended Leader of Opposition in the House Mian Raza Rabbani, while making an opening speech on as many as 13 adjournment motions clubbed together to debate ‘excesses on media and violence against lawyers’. The issue of sealing of the office of the chief justice defence counsel Munir A Malik and the Wednesday morning indiscriminate firing on his residence also echoed in the House. Senator Kamran Murtaza raised the issue and Rabbani, later in his speech, termed the firing a ploy to take the situation to an extent of imposition of emergency in the country. The opposition senators condemned in the strongest possible terms what they called the government’s bid to gag the media, harass the lawyers community, spearheading a move for an independent judiciary.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=7759 |
| |
|
| |
Lawyers reject Code of Conduct for media |
| |
The legal fraternity has refused to accept the Code of Conduct issued by the Supreme Court warning the media not to comment on the issue of the presidential reference and the Supreme Judicial Council. Calling the Code of Conduct an attack on the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Constitution of Pakistan, representatives of lawyers' organisations led by former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Hamid Khan told a press conference Thursday that they were not bound to abide by any such restriction which was beyond the sphere of law. Pakistan Bar Council Members Kazim Khan and Mian Israrul Haq, SCBA Secretary Syed Zulifkar Bokhari, SCBA Vice President Sahibzada Anwar Hameed, Punjab Bar Association Vice Chairman Tariq Javed Warriach, Lahore High Court Bar Association Vice President Firdaus Butt, Lahore Bar Association President Syed Muhammad Shah and LBA Secretary Shamimur Rehman Malik attended the press conference.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?fdtl_id=756&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
| |
|
| |
Code of conduct ‘administrative’ SCBA chief |
| |
Lawyers have refused to accept the “Code of Conduct” by the Supreme Court whereby the media has been warned not to comment on the presidential reference and proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council. Addressing a press conference, former SCBA president Hamid Khan said the Supreme Court’s advice was against the freedom of expression and lawyers were not bound to any restriction beyond the sphere of law. “It is an administrative order, not a judicial one, therefore, it does not fall under the ambit of contempt of court,” he said.“It is the right of the media to report everything happening inside and outside courts and is already observing a self-imposed code of conduct,” he said.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\11\story_11-5-2007_pg7_51 |
| |
|
| |
Dawn Editorial “Supreme Court guidelines” |
| |
As for the government’s plea that the presidential reference should not be politicised, it has itself thoroughly politicised it. The ban on ministers not to appear on TV talk shows is evidently an afterthought. The true indication of the politicisation of the Chief Justice case is the situation in Karachi where the rival sides are planning two rallies for Saturday. If the rule of law and the people’s interests were dear to them, one or the other should have had the good sense and decency to defer or advance the date of its rally. Now matters are coming to a head and one only hopes that there will be no violence in the nation’s biggest city tomorrow.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/11/ed.htm#1 |
| |
|
| |
The Post Editorial “SC’s guidelines” |
| |
The Supreme Court has issued strict guidelines to the general public, media and lawyers with regard to their conduct during the full court hearing of the CJ’s case. In this regard, it has barred the media from making comments, publishing write-ups and holding discussions that are likely to scandalise or malign the court or any of its judges, or interfere in the legal process. Those who stood their ground have been punished by way of stoppage of transmissions. However, this does not mean the media is justified in overstepping its parameters in some instances. The media as well as others must follow the Supreme Court’s code of conduct. The prime minister’s ban on minister’s comments on the crisis deserves to be welcomed in this regard.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=96528&catid=10 |
| |
|
| |
Jang Editorial “Supreme Court ki bar waqt yaqeen dahhanni” |
| |
Jang Editorial “Supreme Court Ki Bar Waqt Yaqeen Dahhanni” (Timely reminder of Supreme Coutl) comments “No segment of society should try to influence court in its proceedings. All the stakeholders of crisis should fulfill their responsibilities. Code of conduct should be respected in all respect.”
(Jang –Editorial)
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Critique on Media
Electronic media becoming irresponsible |
| |
Minister of State for Health, Shahnaz Sheikh Thursday brought media under heavy fire by saying that electronic media has become extremely irresponsible. Responding to various queries during NA session, she even went on saying that advertisement hungry electronic media has lost ethics of responsible media.
"When we issue notice them not to air immoral and illegal advertisements, their independence puts at stake," she said. "So-called independent TV channels should prove some sense of responsibility," she added.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=96629&catid=17 |
| |
|
| |
FO clarifies News report |
| |
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs Wednesday clarified and termed as ‘speculative’ a report, published by a newspaper recently, about ambassadorial assignments. The report carried many factually incorrect remarks. Press release says, “It is necessary to clarify the position as it reflects on a highly respected professional who represent Pakistan as ambassador in Italy.”
(News-9)
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
ISPR denies report |
| |
ISPR has strongly contradicted a news item appearing in daily The News Islamabad on May 10 with the headline “Generals, brigadier met CJP at camp office.” According to ISPR, report is baseless and incorrect. It is indeed unfortunate that a newspaper of repute has published a false report without checking its authenticity. Veracity of the report can be judged from the fact that one of the general officers named in the report retired many years back and did not serve in the appointment mentioned against him.
(News-9)
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Awards
Samar Minallah nominated for Perdita Huston HR Award |
| |
Gender right activist and camera journalist Samar Minallah has been nominated for Perdita Huston Human Rights Award for 2007. The nomination has come from the United Nations Association in recognition of her work as an outstanding advocate for women rights in the region. A gender right crusader, she used electronic media to advocate the rights of rural women and used it as a tool for social change through her documentaries. Not only did her work on 'Swara' signaled in breaking the silence on the inhuman tribal custom, practiced for centuries, it also won her work international acclaim. The Award was established in 2002 to commemorate the work of the world renowned journalist Pertida Huston (1936 to 2001). Ms Huston was a native of Miane. She had a distinguished career in journalism which also included social work in rural Algeria, video documentation of African recovery efforts from the 1984 drought, two honorary doctorates and three books: Message from the Village, Third World Women Speak Out, and Motherhood by Choice. The award is given to an outstanding advocate for women rights in the developing world. Each year the recipient is honored at the award celebration in Washington DC and is presented with 10,000 dollars and a certificate of recognition.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=55397 |
| |
|
| |
Media Miscellaneous
Live coverage of NA session likely |
| |
The National Assembly Speaker Ch Amir Hussain on Thursday at a seminar said that live transmission of the NA proceedings was under consideration, however, he disagreed to allow live transmission of the proceedings of the Standing Committees stating that committees debates were usually work in progress and it did not make much sense to allow their live coverage. He was addressing to an inaugural session of the one-day seminar, "Access to Parliamentary Information", organised by UNDP's Strengthening Democracy through Parliamentary Development (SDPD), here on Thursday. The speakers of the seminar included renowned journalists from print and electronic media namely Nusrat Javeed, Absar Alam, Muhammad Tariq, and Zafarullah Khan.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=96696&catid=17 |
| |
|
| |
Tight security for parliament, journalists inquired names |
| |
Security measures have been tightened for the parliament house. In senate session, every journalist’s name was asked and noted. Even in car parking, journalists were asked to inform their names.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Media’s role in judiciary movement lauded |
| |
Speakers at a seminar titled ‘Role of the media in independence of the judiciary’ at Karachi Press Club on Thursday appreciated the media for infusing vigour into the campaign for independence of the judiciary and said the time was ripe to continue the movement in the interest of the country and the people. Justice (retd) Fakhruddin G. Ibrahim, commenting on the movement for the judiciary, said the people were witnessing the beginning of a new tomorrow. “We want to be ruled by the law and not by an individual,” he said and added that the people wanted the constitution to be implemented in its real form as it was the heart of a republic. He said the Constitution of 1973 was made in a long period of 26 years but the rulers de-shaped it ruthlessly as they willed.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/11/local15.htm |
| |
|
| |
Probe into journalist’s murder demanded |
| |
The journalists belonging to Rawalpindi and Islamabad Press Club are wondering what would happen to the investigations into the case of murder of Pakistan Press International (PPI) bureau chief Malik Muhammad Ismail which are leading to no ample, definite and conclusive evidence who actually was behind this heinous and gruesome killing. Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) president Syed Huma Ali has also demanded an inquiry into the horrible murder of senior journalist Muhammad Ismail Malik. He has demanded that the culprits be awarded exemplary punishment. He said the federal government should arrest the killer to prove their concern and allay the sense of insecurity among the journalists' community over the situation.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3673&catid=2 |
| |
|
| |
Ria Riaz MD APP, Fazal ur Rehman Additional secretary information |
| |
New reshuffles have been introduced in Ministry of Information. Sources have reported to paper that Press counselor in India Ria Riaz has been appointed new MD APP. While outgoing MD APP Fazal ur Rehman has been appointed additional secretary in Ministry of information.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Music
17 video and music shops blown up in Mardan, Charsadda |
| |
Suspected militants blew up 15 video shops in Mardan district, while unidentified motorcyclists destroyed two music shops in Charsadda district late on Wednesday night. Online reported that video and music shopkeepers in Mardan district have sought protection from the government after two bombs exploded in the video market in the Parhuti area of Mardan at 1am, destroying 15 shops. The shopkeepers had been warned in an anonymous letter 20 days ago to wind up their businesses. The shopkeepers of the market gathered at PR Chowk and protested against the incident. They said that the government should provide them security so that they can earn their livelihood. In Charsadda, unidentified men blew up two music shops in Mir Abad in Umerzai police precincts.
(Jang-8)
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\11\story_11-5-2007_pg7_8 |
| |
|
| |
Four music, video shops blown up in Charsadda |
| |
Suspected extremists blew up four music and video shops in a bombing in Charsadda overnight, police said on Thursday. The single powerful device badly damaged the outlets in the Amir Abad area of Charsadda district, a security official said. There were no casualties as the market was closed, he added. The explosion was caused by a home-made bomb and appeared to be linked with similar blasts in the district in the past week. The police, late on Wednesday, defused a bomb planted outside video shops in another area of the same district. Traders said they received letters, warning them to stop selling music and video CDs ‘because it is repugnant to the teachings of Islam’. Charsadda was rocked by a suicide bombing at a rally last month in which 29 people were killed.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=55341 |
| |
|
| |
Ne Parveen too bari namkeen: SC summons Abrar over lyrics |
| |
The Supreme Court on Thursday issued notice to Abrarul Haq after a girl named Parveen complained that his song had forced her to drop out of college. The SC also issued notice to the Punjab advocate general to appear before the court on the date of the hearing of the case to be fixed later. Acting Chief Justice Rana Bhagwandas took suo-moto notice over a column published in an Urdu daily that carried a letter from a female student named Parveen. In her letter, she said the song forced her to abandon her studies at a college in Lahore. Parveen complained that the singer used derogatory words in the song.
(Jang-1)
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\05\11\story_11-5-2007_pg7_10
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=55388
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Books
Dawn Editorial “The textbook imbroglio” |
| |
Following a similar ad hoc approach, the Sindh education department has taken the leap and is introducing the required books in English from August 2007. Even without going into the pros and cons of the language policy, one can anticipate practical problems that will be created by this hasty action. From where will the education department get teachers who can teach in English? Lacking proficiency in the language, teachers’ performance will slip further down and education will suffer further.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/11/ed.htm#2 |
| |
|
| |
Advertising
NA question hour | Electronic media helping quacks for illegal business |
| |
Justifying the lake of law as the basic reason, the government Thursday revealed a large number of non-qualified hakims are advertising spurious medicines on the electronic media. A legal action has been initiated against those who do not stop advertisement and 48 cases are in the drug courts, while a total of 360 show-cause notices were issued for violating section 24 of the Drug Act 1976 from June 2006 to December 2006. "The Ministry of Information and Perma were requested at different intervals of time for intervention with the management of media, cables and satellite channels to ensure they respect law of the land and protect the public from such misleading advertisement,". "The Ministry of Information was asked even at the minister level to use his good offices for media not for illegal advertisement of medicines. The Cabinet Division was also requested for intervening for action by the Perma against cable operators and satellite channels which are on airing illegal advertisement,” State Health Minister Shahnaz Shiekh was repling different questions in house. "The Perma has a code of conduct for media broadcasters/cable TV operators to control the illegal advertisements under rule 24 of the Perma Rules 2002. Federal inspector of drugs has issued a show-cause notice to a frequently appearing advertisement illegally on a private channel," she said.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3674&catid=2 |
| |
|
| |
Lack of law blamed for spurious drug ads |
| |
The Health Ministry on Thursday blamed lack of a necessary law for spurious medicines being advertised on the electronic media by some non-qualified hakims. But Minister of State for Health Shahnaz Sheikh told the National Assembly during the question hour that a bill to regulate the homeopathic, Unani and ayurvedic medicines was already before parliament as one of the steps taken to curb such illegal advertisements, including cooperation sought from other ministries and prosecution of offenders under the existing Drugs Act. The minister also complained about unspecified “irresponsible television channels” for accepting such ads and faced an uproar from MMA benches after she alleged lack of support from religious scholars in some cases in the North West Frontier Province the to federal government’s campaign to make Pakistan polio-free this year.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/11/nat18.htm |
| |
|
| |
'Advertisements giving partisan color to lawyers' movement' |
| |
Pakistan Peoples Party has rejected misleading advertisements placed by an anonymous so-called Judiciary Protection Committee. The advertisements concerned have tried to give partisan colour to the lawyers' movement in a bid to divide the lawyers' movement on partisan lines. The spokesperson said that the advertisement mentioned the names of Munir Malik and Hamid Khan as being members of the PPP. He said they were not members of the PPP although both of them are senior and respected lawyers and are or have served as presidents of the Supreme Court Bar Association and the Lahore High Court Bar Association respectively.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=96624&catid=17 |
| |
|
| |
Art
Punjab govt doles out CMIT building to NCA for film and TV and Musicology departments |
| |
The Punjab government has agreed to hand over the building of the Chief Minister's Inspection Teams (CMIT) offices to the National College of Arts (NCA) following a shortage of space within the campus. She maintained that during her tenure she worked to better the campus and provided additional facilities to the students. "At my request, President General Pervez Musharraf transferred land of over five canals, owned by the army, to the college where a multi storey building with a double basement would be constructed for film and TV and Musicology departments and for a permanent gallery," she said.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3675&catid=3 |
| |
|
| |
Internet
Workshop on web science held at Punjab University |
| |
Punjab University's main library conducted an orientation workshop in collaboration with Higher Education Commission (HEC) on 'ISI Web of Knowledge' at Library Auditorium. This research platform has been developed by the Institute of Scientific Information. Director Institute of Education and Research (IER) and Chairman Library Committee Prof Dr Hafiz Muhammad Iqbal was the chief guest on the occasion. Director Training and Technical Support Ms Fung Siew Tyng and Regional Sales Manager South and South East Asia Mr Rajdev Naranasamay from Singapore were the resource persons. They discussed various topics including web of science, end note, innovation citation reports and essential science indicators. More than 70 faculty members, PhD scholars and librarians attended the workshop.
|
| |
|
| |
http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=96667&catid=3 |
| |
|
| |
Telecommunication
3 G technology not suitable for telecom network |
| |
Tele com net works are not suitable for 3 G technology. It is also not the requirement of market. Chief technical officer Mobilink gave the briefing on fiber optic system.
(Jang-9)
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
|
| |
Announcement
Hasrat Mohani moot on 15th |
| |
A conference is being organized here on May 15 at the Arts Council of Pakistan to pay homage to late Maulana Hasrat Mohani , who is not only one of the stalwarts of the freedom movement in the subcontinent but also an outstanding figure in Urdu literature. This was announced by the Sindh Ombudsman Khan Yousuf Jamal on Thursday while briefing newsmen about the programme to commemorate the 56th birth anniversary of Maulana Mohani. The conference, comprising two sessions will be inaugurated by Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, he informed. Unfolding the details of the conference, he said that besides scholars from Pakistan, a number of prominent scholars, writers and poets from India would also attend the moot. The Indian guests include Dr Gopi Chand Narang, President Indian Academy of Letters, Dr Khalique Anjum, Secretary-general Anjuman Taraqi Hind, Dr Sharib Radulni and Nuzhat Fatima from Lucknow and Kishbir Singh Shad, he added. |
| |
|
| |
http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/11/local14.htm |
| |
|
| |
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) |
| |
|
