Monday November 13, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

66 illegal FM radio stations closed in NWFP

Javed Iqal, Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) regional general manager, said on Sunday that 66 illegal FM radio stations had been shut down while efforts to close 22 more were being made in NWFP. He said PEMRA gave the police a list of 88 illegal FM radio stations and 55 of them had been closed in the first phase of the operation while 11 were closed in the second stage. Iqbal said most religious organisations were cooperating with PEMRA and had closed their illegal radio stations when they were told about its harmful effects, which included hurdles in the country's satellite system. He said PEMRA acted only against those organisations who did not cooperate with the authority. He said all the FM radios operated by a particular religious organisation in Malakand were also closed.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\13\story_13-11-2006_pg7_23

66 illegal FM radios closed in NWFP, says Pemra RGM

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Regional General Manager Javed Iqal said Sunday 66 illegal FM radios had been closed while efforts were being made to close 22 more illegal FM radios in NWFP. He said a list of 88 unlawful FM Radio had been given to police authorities according to which 55 illegal FM radios were closed in the first phase and 11 in the second stage due to effective efforts made by the Pemra and police.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNews.aspx?dtlid=68168&catid=2

SAFMA flays violence against journalists

The South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) Sindh chapter has expressed concern over an increase in violence against journalists in Pakistan and has condemned the incidents of torture, murder and disappearance of journalists and the recent ban on the transmission of Sindh TV by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). The association's Sindh chapter's general body met on Sunday with its President Amir Mehmood in the chair and condemned the illegal detention of Sindhi journalist Meherdin Marri. Marri had recently been released by law enforcement agencies following protests by journalist organisations.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\13\story_13-11-2006_pg12_4

Safma demands lifting of ban on Sindh TV

The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) Sindh Chapter, expressing its concern over the surge in violence against the journalists in the country, has strongly condemned the incidents of torture, murder and disappearance of newsmen and the recent ban on the transmission of a private Sindhi language TV Channel Sindh TV by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Permra).
http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNews.aspx?dtlid=68091&catid=2

Ban on TV channel criticized

Journalists and local people took out a procession here on Sunday in protest against the ban slapped by the Pakistan Electronic and Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on programmes of Sindh TV. Led by Zahid Rajpar, the participants of the rally demanded withdrawal of the ban on Sindh TV. After marching on different roads, the protesters re-assembled at the press club. The cable operators had stopped airing Sindh TV programmes on the directive of PEMRA. They said that the government action would be resisted by the people.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/13/local22.htm

Protest against journalist killing

GUJARKHAN: The Gujar Khan Union of Journalists (GUI) on Sunday has organized a protest rally against the killing of senior journalist Malik Ismail and attack on Mohammad Raiz, the Nawa-w-Waqat correspondent at Sukho. A large number of reporters from all over the tehsil Gujar Khan participated in the rally. The president GUJ Ahmed Nawaz Khokhar addressed the protest rally…. The Nation, Page-8

Media builds nations, says Mughees

Punjab Institute of Mass Communications Studies Director Dr Mugheesuddin Sheikh said on Sunday that the media had a deep impact on the masses and therefore played an important role in building a nation. He told the concluding session of a Mass Communications workshop conducted by Allama Iqbal Open University (AIOU). He said students should devote themselves to education and acquiring knowledge and praised AIOU for conducting the workshop.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\13\story_13-11-2006_pg7_47

Journalists demeaned early establishment of Basham Press Club

An emergency meeting of executive body of Basham (NWFP) Union of Journalist held on Sunday with senior journalist Attaullah Khan in chair. The meeting demanded provincial government of NWFP to early release grant for the construction of building of press club. The journalist threatened to initiate protest demonstration against government incase of further delay in construction of press club building….. Daily Aaj Peshawar, Page-2

Protest rally against attempt to kill journalist

SHUBQADAR (NWFP): Shubqadar Union of Journalist and Al-Nasar Welfare Organization held a protest walk against murder attempt on a senior journalist Rehmanullah, last week.  Journalists criticized the police for delaying the arrest of accused. Journalists were demanding early arrest of accused… Daily Aaj Peshawar, Page-2

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.