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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Media Protest
Journalists to observe June 15 as ‘global action day’ |
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The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have announced that June 15 (Friday) will be observed as ‘Global Action Day’ to safeguard press freedom in Pakistan on the eve of the first death anniversary of slain tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan, who was killed on June 16, 2006. According to the two organisations, the government has taken several measures concerning the press, especially TV channels, following the filing of the reference against the chief justice of Pakistan that can be described as “gagging the press”. The PFUJ has directed all its affiliated journalists and electronic media in Pakistan to set up protest camps or organise rallies on Friday to observe a day of solidarity between Pakistani journalists. “International journalists’ bodies will send memoranda to President General Pervez Musharraf, Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz and Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani in this respect while they will also send letters to the Pakistani embassies in their respective countries,” stated the PFUJ in a statement on Wednesday.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg7_27
http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=60447
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Letter to Editor, “Responsible media” |
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Saba Javed comments , “Holding the print and electronic media responsible for projecting Pakistan in a negative light, our president has criticised the press and TV for not reporting the “government’s achievements in the fields of the economy, education, telecommunication and even human rights.” His objections sound strange, especially because in the same breath, the president was aglow over the freedom his government has given to the media.”
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/LetNews.aspx?dtlid=102205&catid=4 |
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What remains of Pemra law? By I.A. Rehman |
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“It may be noted that in most of the recent cases when broadcasts by some of the TV channels were blocked/suspended for hours and days, it was not considered necessary to invoke the Pemra law. The reason is, first, that formal orders of Pemra can be challenged and, secondly, the powers available to the regulating authority are so awesome that a mere threat of their use can be sufficient to achieve the desired result.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/14/op.htm#1 |
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Jang Column |
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Jang columnist Hamid Mir comments, “Pemra ordinance is strange document. Study reveals that federal Information Ministry wants to chain electronic media through powers. Pemra also interested to influence forthcoming polls. It is regrettable that PTV wants to restore its image through brutal use of state resources. Pakistan Broadcasters Association should draft the code of conduct as soon as possible realizing the intentions of Ministry of Information and Pemra. Media council established by PBA should enforce code of conduct. Media community reservations about Pemra can’t be addressed until its head a police officer is not sent back to original department. Police and Pemra want to control electronic media through old colonial approach.”
(Jang- Column)
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Media in Court
PPP files petition in SC against PEMRA Ord |
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Former senator Farhatullah Babar on Wednesday filed a constitutional petition in the Supreme Court (SC), requesting that the June 4 amendments in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority Ordinance be declared unconstitutional. Filed under Article 184(3) of the Constitution, the petition states that President Pervez Musharraf announced the withdrawal of the June 4 curbs during a meeting with representatives of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association on June 9, but no official notification to this effect has been issued yet. “It is yet to be proved that the president’s announcement was not merely a public relations exercise aimed at buying time without actually withdrawing the impugned ordinance,” said Babar in a press statement.
(News-9)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg7_15 |
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Delay in Pemra Amends Ord withdrawal challenged |
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The People’s Democracy Institute of the Shaheed Bhutto Foundation filed a constitutional petition on Wednesday in the Supreme Court saying that the public announcement by General Pervez Musharraf on June 9 to withdraw the June 4 amendments to the PEMRA Ordinance had still not been implemented and it was a mere a public relations exercise aimed at buying time and not an honest declaration of intent. “The June 4 amendments that still held the field be declared unconstitutional,” it said. The petition filed by former Senator Farhatullah Babar said that General Pervez Musharraf had during meeting with a representatives delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBCA) on June 9 announced to withdraw the June 4 curbs but no official notification has been issued to this effect despite passage of four days. “It has raised questions whether the said announcement by General Pervez Musharraf was a mere public relations exercise and aimed at buying time without the intention to actually withdraw the impugned Ordinance.”
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/14/nationalnews3.php |
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Journalist Iqbal Kazmi sent to jail on judicial remand |
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Freelance journalist Iqbal Kazmi, who was booked by Darakhshan Police late on Tuesday night in four different cases, was sent to jail on judicial remand till June 16. Judicial Magistrate South Allah Bachayo issued the order. Judicial Magistrate East Samina Ghauri issued identical orders for Kazmi to be sent on judicial remand. According to police, the four cases registered against Kazmi consist of charges of fraud, issuing threats and bouncing cheques.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg7_55 |
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Media Miscellaneous
Boucher’s comments on the state of media freedom in Pakistan |
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United States Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asia Richard Boucher reiterated on Wednesday said that Washington expected the judicial process in Pakistan to prevail in resolving the issue of the suspended chief justice. On the state of media freedom in Pakistan, the US government official said he believed that the media enjoyed freedom, since “lots of lively debates are taking place” regarding the currently withdrawn PEMRA (Amendment) Ordinance 2007. But he stressed that any moves to curb media freedom had to be addressed.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg1_5 |
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CPNE Editors delegation visiting Nepal |
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A ten-member delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors led by CPNE President Syed Faseih Iqbal is leaving here tomorrow on a five-day tour of the Kingdom of Nepal where it will meet the leading members of the Nepali Media and officials of the Government of Nepal and discuss ways and means for promoting bilateral ties between the media of the two countries and promote cooperation in the news field leading to better understanding between the two Asian nations. The delegation will be meeting leading Nepali newspaper editors and would also be meeting the Ambassador of Pakistan in Katmandu. The CPNE delegation will return to Pakistan on the morning of June 18, 2007. The members of the CPNE delegation led by Syed Faseih Iqbal are as follows: Mr. Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami, Mr. Aamer Mehmood, Mr. Mahmood-ul-Aziz, Mr. Javed Meher Shamsi, Syed Muhammad Munir Jillani, Mr. Mumtaz A. Tahir, Mr. Ghulam Akbar, Mr. Anwer Farooqui and Mr. Khushnood Ali Khan.
(Nation-3) (Nawa-i-Wat-8)
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Speaker assures amicable solution for ban on journalist’s entry to NA press gallery |
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Speaker National Assembly Ammeer Hussain has assured that amicable solution will be found for the ban on Geo Television Executive Administrator Northern Areas Hamid Mir’s entry to NA press gallery. MNA Liquat Baloch raised the point of order in National assembly about ban on Hamid Mir’s entry to press gallery. Liquat Baloch on point of order said that Hamid was senior journalist but perhaps not allowed to enter press gallery on directions from government or Ministry of information. Journalists’ community was worried about the ban. It was necessary to address their reservations otherwise they might stage walk out from press gallery. Speaker said, “Media has role and press gallery has also its own role. In press gallery a rude incident happened. Issues were settled amicably in a meeting attended by the representatives of all the parties. It was decided to fix a quota of two cards for bigger media institutions while one card for others. Additional cards are also being issued because journalists’ complaint they can’t remain present in gallery to cover proceeding for full day. Journalists were asked to contact him for settlement of any complaint. He has no personal objections for anyone. He assures that he has respect for media. He would try that there should not be any issue for media community. Some amicable solution would be found for the issue.”
(Jang-8)
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NWFP govt to allocate land for journalists colony |
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MMA government in NWFP would allocate official land for the proposed journalists colony in Peshawar for which a summary has been sent to the NWFP Chef Minister for final approval. NWFP Minister for Information Asif Iqbal Daudzai has reiterated the provincial government fully believed in the freedom of press and was determined to make every possible measure for the welfare of journalist community, despite meagre resources. He expressed these views while chairing a high-level meeting regarding the proposed Durrani Media Colony in Peshawar Wednesday which was attended by Provincial Secretary Information Muhammad Afzal Khan, Director Information Faridullah Khan, DRO Peshawar Khalid Saleem, Director General CD&MD Sareer Mohammad, General Manager CD&MD Mohammad Tariq, President Peshawar Press Club Mohammad Riaz, Assistant Director Information Mohammad Imran and other concerned officials.
(Nation-20)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNewsT.aspx?dtlid=102283&catid=2 |
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Issues over Journalist's colonies settled, development work getting pace: CM Punjab |
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Chief Minster Punjab Pervaiz Elahi has said that all issues related to journalists’ colonies in Punjab have been settled amicably. Now development work is getting pace. All the matters related to journalists’ colonies in Rawalpindi, Lahore, Multan are clear and hurdles have been removed. He was talking in press conference. He assured that work will soon start for media colonies in Sahiwal and Bahwalpur.
(Express-8)
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TUJ team calls on PM |
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The government considers views news and analysis by the media as a useful source of feedback and welcomes criticism as long as the principles of fair reporting and code of conduct are followed and nation interest kept supreme. This was stated by Prime Minister Shukat Aziz while talking to media delegation of the Tribal Union of Journalists who called on him in his chamber in parliament house.
(Post-B-2) (News-4)
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Journalists of AJK facing huge problems |
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A meeting of Azad Kashmir Union of Journalists held in Sudhnoi. District President Sardar Muhammad Shabir chaired the meeting. Central Vice President Sardar Muhammad Zaheer Khan addressed the meeting and said that journalists’ of AJK are facing huge problems. It is right of journalists like Pakistani journalists to get housing facilities. They should also be given plots for residential purpose. He told that Punjab governor had promised for journalists’ colony in Punjab for media community of AJK.
(Express-11)
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People unaware of voter lists despite media campaigns |
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Despite a campaign by the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) through the print and electronic media, most voters in NWFP are still unaware of computerised electoral lists displayed by the provincial election commission on June 12, 2007 for correction.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg7_41 |
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Television
Niazi for verbatim NA reports: Soomro orders code for Senate media coverage |
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Senate Chairman Muhammadmian Soomro on Wednesday directed Leader of the House Wasim Sajjad and State Minister for Information Tariq Azeem Khan to evolve a code of conduct for balanced media coverage of the Senate proceedings. He issued these directions on a complaint by Federal Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi that the media was not giving balanced coverage to the treasury members. APP adds: Earlier speaking on a point of order in the National Assembly, Dr Niazi said it was the responsibility of the press to cover parliamentary proceeding in verbatim. He said the press should cover the entire speeches of the members from treasury and opposition benches without adding or omitting on their own.
(News-12)
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg1_8
http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/14/top13.htm
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PTV News Plus being aired live across world |
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Internationally acclaimed News Plus is PTV’s brilliant news and current affairs program that is broadcast live throughout the world and PTV world globally simultaneously.
(Nation-14)
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Solid steps by MD PTV for channel’s image improvisation |
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Managing Director PTV Yousaf Beg Miraz has initiated steps to improve the image of channel. He is conducting a series of meetings with leading celebrities and personalities of art and culture to get proposals to restore PTV’s glorious past. Renowned intellectuals have termed PTV a face of Pakistan.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-3)
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CITY BLOGS, Irritating TV commercials |
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“This may be considered unfortunate because the young viewers, who have easy access to cable TV, come under adverse impact on account of such undesirable commercials. Of course, there are some positive aspects of TV commercials when they announce concessions in prices of some essential electronic items like fridge, TV, micro-oven, and other household appliances on festive or other special occasions, as they help in creating a desirable consumer culture for a better standard of life. There may be no hesitation in admitting that, judging by the standards achieved by Western electronic media in the matter of presenting commercials, we have a lot to learn in eschewing the cruder forms of TV media publicity.”
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=102273&catid=17 |
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Radio .Fm listening | War between music lovers by Sehrish Wasif |
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With the swell in the number of FM channels in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi the type of music being played on the channels is raising some questions. Some people are of the view that FM channel should give priority to Pakistani music and avoid playing other type of music especially Indian songs. Whereas some believe that all types of music should be played on the channels as music has no boundaries.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=102271&catid=17 |
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Advertising
Billboards to be removed from 26 places |
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Traffic Engineering and Planning Agency (TEPA) has decided to remove all the hoardings and advertising billboards within 100 feet of at least 26 junctions that fall in the City’s five major roads.
The purpose behind the latest move from the City District Government is to make the traffic sign more visible to enable smooth flow of traffic. Meanwhile, the TEPA has been entrusted with the administrative control of five major roads including the Mall Road, Jail Road, Lower Mall, Main Boulevard, and Davis Road for the installation of Road Safety Devices (RSDs). The RSDs include Variable Message Signs (VMS), cat eyes, zebra crossings, road markings and road signs such as warning signs, mandatory traffic signs, guidance signs and regulatory signs, TEPA sources disclosed.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/14/localnews3.php |
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Music
CD shops set on fire in Peshawar |
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Two CD shops were set on fire by unknown people in Akhunabad locality on late Tuesday night. Owners told police that they found their shops reduced to ashes on Wednesday morning. Police have registered a case against unknown persons. This was the second attack on CD shops in the city in the past few months. Earlier, some shops had been blown up in a market located on Kohat road.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/14/local10.htm |
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22 music shops bombed in Charsadda in recent months |
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Farmanullah Khan was asleep safe and sound at home when a bomb in the middle of the night ripped through his small music and video store in a northwestern Pakistani town, and destroyed his livelihood. Khan was warned in a letter, pushed under the shop's shutters on March 23, that he had a month to close down his business. It was signed by the "Taliban". A week after the deadline expired, they struck, bombing his store and two others nearby. "I did not take this warning serious because such a thing has never happened in Charsadda," the dejected Khan said, as he sat among the wrecked shelves and racks, surrounded by glum-faced friends and fellow shopkeepers. Around 22 music shops have been bombed in recent months in Charsadda, forcing around half of the 100 such shops in the area to close down. Similar things have been happening across the province in recent months, barbers are being threatened against shaving beards, girls are being warned against going to schools without wearing veils. On April 28, Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao narrowly survived a suicide attack in Charsadda. In some remote parts of the province, radical clerics are running private FM radio stations to propagate their teachings. But it is not necessary to travel so far to find evidence of the growing influence of clerics preaching militant Islam.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=60464 |
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Books
40,000 e-books available in digital library |
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The Higher Education Commission’s (HEC) will make 40,000 books and 23,000 journals available online under its Digital Library Programme. The e-books support programme will allow researchers to access text and reference books on a variety of subjects. The commission has acquired the e-books of world’s leading publishers that will meet the needs of public and private universities and research and development organisations. Students and faculty members will have the access to the e-books and various other research technologies offered on the platform.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\14\story_14-6-2007_pg7_45 |
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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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