Tuesday September 12, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

STATE OF MEDIA

NA question hour Govt given 114 minutes, Opp 73 on PTV

The National Assembly (NA) was informed Monday that the government including president, prime minister and federal ministers were given 114 minutes in the state-owned PTV news, while opposition was given 73 minutes during the first six months of the current year. Responding to a question of Dr Farid Ahmed Paracha, Federal Information Minister Mohammad Ali Durrani told the house during the question-hour session, 82 hours, 15 minutes were given to the government in the current affairs programmes on the PTV World during January to August 10 this year, while opposition was given 14 hours, 46 minutes.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=58582&catid=17

NA speaker orders inquiry into harassment of journalists

National Assembly Speaker Chaudhry Amir Hussain ordered an inquiry into reports of harassment of journalists after reporters walked out of the press gallery in protest on Monday. “Torture of journalists cannot be allowed. You should take up the issue with the minister concerned, conduct an inquiry into these incidents and bring the persons responsible to book,” the speaker said to Kamil Ali Agha, minister of state for parliamentary affairs.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\09\12\
story_12-9-2006_pg7_15

Journalists walk out from NA

Journalists Monday walked out form the National Assembly as a mark of protest over an attack on the son and nephew of a journalist of a local English daily and demanded the arrest of the culprits involved in the incident. The unknown accused had shot at the son and nephew of a crime reporter of a local daily in front of his house.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=58597&catid=17

Hayatullah case report remains behind the curtain

A Peshawar High Court judge has forwarded to the federal government his findings on the murder case of tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan, whose mysterious disappearance and death this year caused considerable resentment amongst journalists and human rights' watchdogs across the world. Justice Mohammad Raza Khan says that he submitted an inquiry report last month, but was not sure whether the government would publicise the findings.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\09\12\
story_12-9-2006_pg7_23

Newsman deprived of car, valuables

Two people, including the reporter of a Sindhi daily, were kidnapped from Thull late on Thursday night. Ashfaq Khoso, reporter of a Sindhi daily, along with his friend Mumtaz Khoso, was on way to Kandhkot from Jacobabad in a car (K-8587) when he a group of armed dacoits intercepted them near Thull and kidnapped them at gunpoint.

http://www.pakistanpressfoundation.org/userMediaFiles
Details.asp?uid=7623

MEDIA AND GOVT

Media cell for research planned

The Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF) will set up a media cell to make public the scientific research, says PSF chairman Dr M.N. Butt. Speaking at the concluding session of a two-day workshop titled ‘Media and Science Awareness in the Knowledge Society' here on Thursday, he said PSF was seeking assistance and cooperation of the media for this purpose. The workshop was jointly organised by the PSF and Pakistan Scientific Technological Information Centre (Pastic) at the University of Peshawar .

http://www.asiamedia.ucla.edu/article.asp?parentid=52500

LHC issues detailed judgement on journalists housing colony

Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed of the Lahore High Court on Monday, in a detailed judgement, dismissed seven identical petitions by Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad and others challenging the establishment of a journalists colony in Lahore.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\09\12\story_12-9-2006_pg7_48

LHC dismisses pleas against Journalist Colony

The Lahore High Court Monday dismissed seven identical petitions challenging the proposed establishment of Journalist Housing Colony under the Punjab Journalists Housing Foundation Act, 2004, and declared it in the public interests. Justice Sheikh Azmat Saeed dismissing petitions by Chaudhry Nazir Ahmad and others in his detailed judgment observed that petitioners who were alleged occupants of the Evacuee Trust Property had no right to that land and the establishment of Journalist Colony was in the public interests.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNews.aspx?dtlid=58634&catid=3

RADIO SECTOR

FM LISTENING: the hollow shams of FM

No doubt the sole reason behind the popularity of any channel is its programmes. The more the programmes are produced professionally the more they are watched and appreciated by masses. At times the programme itself becomes the identity of the channel. The best example of this is the series of a famous programme called 'Kaun Banega Caroor Pati' followed by 'Kum Kum' and 'Saas Bhi Kabi Bahu Thee' and many more on Star Plus. Looking to this many other channels also tried to produce programmes with similar theme, with a few alterations. But as always the real thing is always the real deal.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=58583&catid=17

TELEVISION SECTOR

“Pakistan Television and China Central Television signed an agreement in Islamabad to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the people of Pakistan and China ”,

http://www.ptvworldnews.com.pk/

NEWS FROM URDU PRESS

Attack on Shakeel Anjum house: Journalist boycott NA session in protest”, Daily Jang , Page-2

“Attack on The News reporter's son condemned”, The News, page-5

“No one will allow to hit freedom of press; Ch Ameer Hussain, Speaker National Assembly”, Daily Khabrain , Page-3

“Higfh level session of PEMRA Punjab held yesterday. The meeting discuss new draft of code of ethics for advertisements”, Daily Khabrain, Back Page

“Dir Lowier: Journalist announced boycott to police coverage”, Daily Aaj, Page-2

“PTV and China Central TV will exchange programmes: Ashraf Azeem”, Nawa-e-Waqat , Page-3

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.  

UPDATED: 1100 PST (0600 GMT)