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RESOURCE CENTER - MEDIA MONITOR |
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Tuesday June 12, 2007
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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Media in Courts
SC seeks report on harassment of journalists |
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The Supreme Court on Monday directed a petitioner to submit during the next hearing details of incidents involving torture and harassment of journalists. On a suo motu, a Supreme Court bench comprising Justice Abdul Hameed Dogar and Justice Falak Sher was hearing an application filed by the Press Association of Supreme Court inviting the court’s indulgence against incidents of harassment and intimidation of working journalists. Advocate Ahmer Bilal Soofi, representing the press association, told the bench that incidents of torture were reported not only from Karachi but from all over the country, including the federal capital and the Federally Administered Tribal Areas. He mentioned recent threats given to an Islamabad-based senior journalist, Shakil Turabi, and regretted that no progress had been made in the case despite registration of an FIR. State authorities, he said, had not taken any remedial measure.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/12/nat3.htm
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\12\story_12-6-2007_pg7_21
http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/12/nationalnews6.php
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Journalist put on notice in defamation case |
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The court of Additional District and Session Judge Chudhary Imtiaze here on Monday served a notice on Khalil Malik asking him to appear before the court on June 18 in defamation case. Rafaqat Bashir Awan a high court advocate on June 5 filed a criminal compliant regarding defamation against daily Shura chief editor Khalil Malik with a session judge who referred it to Chudhary Imtiaze. According to complainant, Khalil Malik in his column titled Wookla Ki Terik ka Battin published in daily Shura on June 4, used scandalous and insulting language against the lawyers.
(Dawn-17)
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Media Protest
Journalists, lawyers protest against police |
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Journalists and lawyers on Monday took out a joint protest procession against registration of a false case against six journalists of Makhdoompur Pahoran Town and torture on them at Kohna police station. The procession, participated in by a large number of journalists from all four tehsils of the district and office bearers of District Bar Association (DBA), Khanewal, started from the DBA office and concluded at the same place after a march through the city. The protesters, holding placards and banners, raised slogans against Makhdoompur Pahoran SHO, Saddar DSP Mian Tanvir and DPO Shahid Hanif. At various places, the speakers condemned the police attitude against the journalists who dared to write against police excesses and corruption. They urged the Lahore High Court chief justice to take suo motu notice of police highhandedness and order an inquiry into the incident. Earlier, the hearing of the bail petition of journalists was adjourned for June 12.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/12/nat29.htm |
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Letter to Editor “Media acting as a mirror” |
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Imran Ahmad comments, “Restricting the press is tantamount to insulting the nation. Is the Pakistani nation not intelligent enough to decide for itself right from wrong? For the powers that be, I would like to sum up my contest for free media by quoting Khalil Gibran: “You can muffle the drum, you can loosen the strings of the lyre, but who shall command the skylark not to sing?” It may not have been part of the syllabus at the Pakistan Military Academy, Kakul.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/12/letted.htm#2 |
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Being uncomfortable with free media by Khalid Jawed Khan |
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“The advent of independent TV cannels in the country has substantially transformed our culture and political discourse.”
(Dawn-6)
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Pemra Ord, President pulls back from the brink by Afzal Khan |
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“The president has withdrawn the reference but continues to insist that the media must frame a code of conduct to ensure that the army and judiciary escape any scrutiny.”
(Nation-5)
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Media Miscellaneous
US hails Musharraf’s rescinding of press curbs |
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The United States welcomed as a positive step on Monday President Gen Pervez Musharraf’s rescinding of restrictions on media coverage of anti-government demonstrations. “A free press is essential to any functioning democracy,” State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said. “It may, at times, cause heartburn for various governments. I’ve experienced that, in some cases, myself. But ... the fact of the matter is, it is an essential part of a strong, healthy functioning democracy; so this is a positive step that President Musharraf and his government have taken,” he said.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8451 |
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Pak rejects EU concern on media |
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Determined to fight back in the face of severe criticism from the opposition parties and important players abroad over the weakening hold of the government on different institutions, Pakistan on Monday upped the ante while declaring, “We don’t need an outsider to come and tell us what to do. This is for our people, our government and our media to discuss, debate, and decide. I am sure that if we were to comment on the situation of freedoms in these (European) countries, we would have a lot to say.” The Foreign Office spokesper son gave this fiery reply at a weekly press briefing. She was responding to the concerns expressed by the European Union about President Pervez Musharraf’s curbs on the media. The Pakistani media has been the latest victim of state manipulation after the government came down with a heavy hand on political workers and lawyers. The European Union and European Commission ambassadors in Islamabad said in a statement on Thursday that they were concerned over the “recent setbacks with regard to media freedom”. Asked about Washington’s latest words of caution to the Musharraf government regarding the press, the spokesperson decided not to comment specifically on the United States.
(Nation-12) (News-1)
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Media useful source of feedback: PM |
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Prime Minister Shukat Aziz has said the government welcomes criticism by media if national interests are upheld and code of conduct is followed in true sprite. He was talking to media delegation from Sindh. He said the govt considers the views news and analysis by the media as a useful source of feedback. Delegation of journalists from Sindh also called on PML-Q president Shujat Hussain.
(Nation-15) (Jang-1)
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Consultation for code of conduct |
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Members of Pakistan Broadcasters Association are in consultation to draft code of conduct for electronic media. PBA senior vice Chairman Salman Iqbal chaired a meeting of PBA members in Karachi which welcomed the decision about withdrawal Pemra bill.
(Jang-3)
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Senate press cards |
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The Senate Secretariat has not banned issuance of cards to the journalist for coverage of its ongoing session, said an explanation issued by the Senate Secretariat on Monday. The Senate will meet on Tuesday. The Senate Secretariat further clarified that the cards have been issued to the journalists for whole the session according to the list prepared by the Press and Information Department (PID). Moreover, cards have also been issued to those journalists, whose photographs were provided to the Senate Secretariat by the PID or their relevant departments and organisations. Permanent cards will not be issued but cards will be issued on daily bases.
(Aaj-1)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=8452 |
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Media delegation from Jacobabad meets Chairman Senate |
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A delegation of journalists from Jacobabad met chairman senate in parliament house and informed him about issues of media community. Chairman Senate Muhammad Mian Soomro told that govt has firm belief in freedom of press. He assured his full cooperation to settle problems faced by journalists.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-3)
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Tribal journalist selected for training |
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The Panos South Asia, a Nepal based media training organization, has selected FATA radio journalist Muhammad Tayyab Afridi for “Online Radio Broadcasting Training Workshop” to be held from June 19 to 24. The Panos has invited 22 persons selected from seven countries of South Asia and it will fund all expenses of all participants. Tayyeb Afridi has been serving in FATA radio station for last one year and is currently working as Program Producer for Radio Khyber, Khyber Agency.
(News-3)
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ANP observes token hunger strike: Karachi killings, media curbs |
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Leaders and activists of the Awami National Party observed a hunger strike outside the press club on Monday in protest against Karachi killings and restrictions on the media by the government. ANP general secretary Mian Iftikhar Hussain said the ANP workers had set up hunger strike camps in divisional headquarters to express sympathy with victims of the Karachi carnage on May 12. He said that the hunger strike was also aimed to show solidarity with the media persons who were under tremendous pressure by the military-led government.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/12/local7.htm
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\12\story_12-6-2007_pg7_9
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Anti-media steps slammed |
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The Women Action Forum, supporting various journalist organisations including the PFUJ and the KUJ, condemned the government's move against media freedom, said a release issued here on Monday. The WAF expressed concern over the intimidation of journalists and condemned attempts to muzzle the media in the shape of a ban on live coverage of outdoor events, especially protests related to the current judicial crisis and unplugging of various private channels. The forum considered restrictions on the media as a violation of the fundamental rights and a breach of the Constitution.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/12/local17.htm |
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Free media essential for protection of Human Rights |
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A free media is like the eyes and ears of the people and any restrictions on it will amount to denying the common people their right to get information and meke decisions. This was observed by representatives of various NGOs at a press conference arranged by the Human Rights Alliance, a newly formed network of concerned NGOs and residents of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. The purpose of press conference was to express solidarity with journalists’ community and voice concern over the increase in attacks and curbs on media epically electronic media.
(Dawn-19) (News-19)
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Seminar on National Situation and Media’s Role |
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A seminar titled, National Situation and Media’s Role, was organised by the Pakistan Union of Journalists (PUJ) at the Lahore Press Club (LPC) on Monday. Hafiz Salaman Butt said that Government was attacking the judiciary and the media, two pillars of the state. The media was showing the truth when it telecast live coverage of the May 12 Karachi massacre in which more than 300 people were injured and at least 50 were killed.” Federal Minister Sheikh Rasheed said the media had won its freedom by facing hardships in previous governments and no one could sabotage its freedom now. However, he said, the opposition was spreading baseless rumors in this regard, which was creating anarchy in the country. He said the government had withdrawn the amendments in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) Ordinance. Rasheed said that Law Minister Wasi Zafar was a simple man who could not meet the frequency of the media’s sharp questions and was being exploited by the media. He said the media should emphasize on bringing reality to the fore instead of their desires.
(Jang-8)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\12\story_12-6-2007_pg7_28 |
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Opp says free media could have averted Dhaka debacle |
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Freedom of press is very essential for presenting a real picture of a society, stability of the country and real democracy. The speakers of a seminar on “Press & the Nation on Rise & Fall Together” organised by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz (PML-N) said this while addressing participants here on Monday. Political workers and other school of thought participated in the seminar. PML-N Chairman Raja Zafarul Haq was the chief guest on the occasion while Leader of Opposition in the Senate Mian Raza Rabbani(PPP-P), Ahsan Iqbal, Zafar Ali Shah, Senator Ishaq Dar, Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club President Mushtaq Minhas and former president LHC Bar Association Kaleem Khurshid were also participated in the seminar.
“If media were free in 1971 then Pakistan would not have disintegrated. The expressions to the people of East Pakistan (Bangladesh) and their point of views could not reach to the West Pakistan. Freedom of express and information is a constitutional right of every citizen,” speakers said.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/12/nationalnews5.php |
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'Musharraf believes in free media' |
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The President of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) Hameed Haroon called on the President General Pervez Musharraf at the Presidential Camp Office Rawalpindi on Monday. The meeting, which was also attended by Secretary Information and Broadcasting Syed Anwar Mahmood discussed the relations between the government and media, according to officials privy to the talks. Musharraf expressed his belief for an independent media and press and hoped that the press would also adhere to a sense of responsibility keeping the interest and integrity of country as foremost while performing their duties. The meeting also discussed the issue of code of conduct being prepared for private TV channels. The President APNS thanked the President for his decision about the withdrawal of PEMRA ordinance.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/12/nationalnews6.php |
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Press & Publication Act paved the way to self-censorship |
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Dr Tariq Rehman, professor of linguistics at the Quaid-e-Azam University, Islamabad, said here on Monday that the Press & Publications Act announced on August 19, 1959, and promulgated in 1960 brought about a “structural change” in Pakistan as opposed to India because it paved the way for self-censorship. He made the remark at a meeting held here to commemorate the third anniversary of eminent journalist and author Zamir Niazi. The meeting was organised by Pen & Art for Peace in collaboration with Progressive Writers’ Association (PWA). Columnist Ardeshar Cawasjee presided over the meeting. Rehman said there could not be press freedom in Pakistan in the real sense until the media was controlled by the corporate sector. He said the press should be ‘morally engaged’ at all times and should not be neutral. He said regulations except those of ‘common decency’ were not acceptable. He stated the freedom of the press in Pakistan was something new, but oppression of the press in this country was not new. Our freedom was very fragile. No wonder that whenever the government felt it right, it imposed curbs on the press, he added. He noted that only the masses could assure the freedom of the press and the academia. People such as Zamir Niazi were opposed to closed society since it restricts us from speaking the truth, he added.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=60130 |
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Complacency over press freedom a mistake |
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“Realities are often created,” stated Dr Tariq Rahman, quoting Noam Chomsky. “And the media often creates these realities.” These words were enough to capture the attention of the audience gathered at the Zamir Niazi Memorial Lecture Series on Monday. Entitled “Press and Our Freedoms”, the lecture was held at the auditorium of the Fatima Jinnah Medical and Dental College to commemorate the journalist’s third death anniversary. A distinguished HEC professor at the National Institute of Pakistan Studies, Dr Rahman pointed out that no body except the public can ensure the freedom of the press, and for that matter, academia. He said that the citizenry alone can put pressure on the government and induce it to uphold the rights of both institutions. In that sense, added Dr Rahman, journalistic and academic institutions are not too different since they have their integrity and independence to protect. “The freedom of the press is a relatively new phenomenon, about a 100- to 150-year-old experiment,” he said, “but oppression by powerful forces is not.” According to Dr Rahman, we tend to take this freedom for granted and delude ourselves into thinking that the Pakistani media have acquired the required stability. However, it must not be forgotten that the situation remains precarious.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/12/local5.htm |
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Film on Pearl’s murder releasing this month |
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Pakistan’s image will take another hit later this month with the nationwide release of a film based on the murder of Wall Street Journal reporter Danny Pearl in Karachi during July 2002. The film starring Angelina Jolie as Mariane Pearl, Danny Pearl’s wife who was with child when her husband was abducted and murdered, and Dan Futterman playing the slain reporter, was to be originally shot in Pakistan but because of security concerns, visa difficulties and the Pakistan government’s reluctance to play host, forced the company to shoot it in India. However, the exterior scenes were shot in Karachi and the indoor scenes in Pune, India An Indian actor, Irfan Khan, plays the role of “Captain,” the sympathetic Pakistani police officer who tried very hard to recover Pearl but failed. Pakistani television actor Adnan Siddiqui also has a role in the movie. Archie Punjabi plays the role of Asra Nomani, Pearl’s Wall Street Journal colleague and friend, in whose Karachi house the Pearls were staying while on assignment in Pakistan from Mumbai. The only saving grace for Pakistan would be the character of the Pakistani police officer. But the overall impression that the world will receive of Pakistan will be of a country that is home to murdering jihadis and terrorists on the loose.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\12\story_12-6-2007_pg7_2 |
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Secretary information and wheel chair |
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Nawa-i-Waqt columnist Aftab Iqbal’s column “Secretary Information and Wheel chair” “the role of secretary information during ongoing government crisis with media.”
(Nawa-i-Waqt-4)
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Exchange of harsh words between FO spokesperson and journalist |
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On Monday during weekly press briefing in foreign office (FO), there was exchange of harsh words between FO spokesperson and a journalist. Both used threatening words for each other. The said journalist in press briefing could not ask question in spite many attempts. After the briefing when journalist enquired something from FO spokesperson, she replied, “mend your behavior”. The journalist replied, “I will respond about this behavior in 24 hours.” Spokesperson asked security staff of FO to throw this man out of office and ban his entry to press briefings during my tenure as FO spokesperson. Journalist replied, “FO is not your father’s property.” Some other journalists interrupted them and settle the quarrel. Later a group of journalists visited FO spokesperson’s office and express solidarity with her.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
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Radio
Gallup Survey, 15.88 million radio listeners in Pakistan |
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According to major findings of recent survey conducted by Gallup Survey, the average radio listenership is 22 per cent approximately which leads to an estimate listenership of 15.88m. Out of the 22 per cent general radio listenership of local, the Gallup finds an average of 66 per cent listenership of radio Pakistan while Radio Pakistan’s FM 101 enjoys 40 per cent listeneship. The Gallup also observed a lean gap between 34% regular listener and 35% occasional listeners. Gallup Pakistan conducted the survey on Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) during the year 2006 and submitted its final report in March 2007. Regarding foreign listenership the Gallup shows 58% listenership for BBC and AIR 16%. The Gallup shows 41% of listeners show inertest in radio Pakistan’s news and current affairs program.
(News-19)
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Books
Karachi’s libraries: a squandered inheritance |
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Zar Nageen’s report, “with advent of private TV channels and cyber cafes, the number of people who come to the library to read newspapers has dropped by 82-85 percent.”
(Daily Times-A3)
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Telecommunication
Cellular operators asked to follow new procedure |
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All the cellular mobile operators have been asked to ensure that their franchises adopt procedure before issuing new mobile connections to customers. PTA Monday also directed them to sell new connections only through authorized franchises.
(News-20) (Jang-3)
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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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