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RESOURCE CENTER - MEDIA MONITOR |
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Wednesday November 14, 2007
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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Attack on Media
Intimidation
Newspapers asked not to carry slanderous material |
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The NWFP Directorate of Information has directed certain newspapers through a letter “not to publish slanderous material against the government departments.” “It has been observed that slanderous material is being published against government departments/officials without confirmation from the concerned authority, which not only defames the said department/official but the newspaper also loses its credibility,” stated a letter sent by the NWFP director information to some newspaper offices in Peshawar. At a time when independent newspapers and television news channels are being pressured to toe the government line, the letter upset the staff of the newspapers that received it. They felt it was aimed at restricting the work of the media by taking advantage of the emergency. “It is not a threat but just a request,” NWFP Director Information Faridullah clarified when asked by The News whether the letter was meant to threaten media organisations. The official explained that the matter had been discussed before the imposition of emergency in the country as unconfirmed stories carried by different newspapers created problems for the government departments and wasted time of the officers assigned to probe reports that eventually proved baseless. The director of information also dispelled the impression that the letter had anything to do with the imposition of emergency. “This has not been issued on the directives of federal government,” he stressed. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80681 |
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Restriction
Restriction on import of satellite TV items |
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Pemra deprives people of satellite signals
The government on Tuesday tightened restriction on import of satellite television equipment. Now satellite dishes, decoders, recording and reception equipment could be imported only with the permission of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority. A notification issued by the commerce ministry said the import policy order, 2007, had been amended to the effect that the import of satellite television equipment would require a ‘no-objection certificate’ from Pemra. “All equipment used for reception, broadcast and distribution of satellite signals pertaining to the field of electronic media such as satellite dishes, decoders, receivers, digital satellite news gathering, encoder, modulator, high-powered amplifier, integrated digital receiver, broadband global access network, low-noise amplifier, low-noise block, camera with satellite transmission facility, digital head-end, etc shall be allowed into the country only after obtaining specific permission” from Pemra, the ministry said.
Jang,
The News,
Dawn,
Daily Times |
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Media Protest
Journalists on hunger strike today |
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In protest against curb on media the journalists will stage a token hunger strike outside the Karachi Press Club on Wednesday from 10am till 4pm.The journalists organisation affiliated with the Karachi Union of Journalists will observe hunger strike according to the schedule announced by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalsits (PFUJ). The protest camps will be set up outside the Karachi Press Club to condemn curbs on media and denial of freedom of speech under the emergency imposed in the country. Meanwhile, a meeting was held at KPC on Tuesday with Shamim-ur-Rahman, KUJ President in the chair, finalised strategy regarding protest programmes with special reference to hunger strike and steps taken by provincial administration. The meeting was attended by office-bearers of ATJ and KPC, besides mediafolk.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80623 |
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Newsmen slam emergency, press curbs |
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Dawn Unit of the Karachi Union of Journalists has condemned imposition of emergency in the country and restrictions on the press, especially news channels. A meeting of the unit on Tuesday slammed harassment and detention of media persons and the threats being issued to them by government functionaries. It also deplored the continued siege of press clubs elsewhere in the country. The meeting criticised owners of certain newspapers and TV channels for bowing to the government’s pressure tactics and compromising on press freedom. It noted with regret that workers of newspaper industry were being victimised by their employers, who were refusing to implement the 7th wage award.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/14/local21.htm |
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Journalists’ protest continue |
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Swaying black flags, wearing black ribbons around their arms, their heads and some blind folding themselves, journalists held another demonstration on Wednesday to condemn the assault on freedom of expression and the press. The peaceful demonstration was a continuation of the series of protests that were triggered when the government put the TV and radio channels off air. The strength of protesting journalists was larger than the previous demonstrations and their combined impact louder as they shouted “Jang rahay gi”, “we want freedom”, “down with Pemra”, “Booton ki Sarkar ko hum nahi mantay”, demanding an end to clampdown on media. Political leaders, like PPP’s Dr Israr Shah, Nargis Faiz Malik, MMA’s Liaquat Baloch, human rights activists such as Farzana Bari and Tahira Abdullah, and some other members from the civil society and students also joined in to express solidarity with the journalist community. Vowing to continue their movement against restrictions on media, journalists would set up a protest camp outside the Dawn office on Wednesday.
(Dawn-18)
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Journalists’ protest enters 5th day |
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Journalists of the twin cities continued their peaceful protest for the fifth consecutive day on Tuesday against the media curbs imposed by the government. Over 400 journalists gathered in front of a newspaper office in the afternoon to press the government for acceptance of their demands. Civil society members and politicians also joined the protesting journalists and urged the government to lift ban on the media. Muttahida Majils-e-Amal (MMA) leader Liaquat Baloch condemned the government for chaining the press. He said journalists were an important segment of society and act as a bridge between the government and people. He said it was the journalists’ positive criticism that guided governments towards taking effective measures for the progress and prosperity of the country, reformation of society and resolution of the people’s problems.
Jang,
Daily Times,
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Jang
Jang
Jang
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Pakistan feel clamp on independent media |
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Many Pakistanis are illiterate and depend on television for news. So many are at a loss without TV. Since the emergency was declared, the Pakistani government has grown increasingly thin-skinned about any criticism. TV stations are barred from broadcasting anything islamabad, nov 13: swaying black flags, wearing black ribbons around their arms, their heads and some blind folding them- selves, journalists held another demonstration on wednesday to condemn the assault on freedom of expression and the press. the peaceful demonstration was a continuation of the series of protests that were triggered when the government put the tv and radio channels off air. the strength of protesting journalists was larger than the previous demonstrations and their combined impact louder as they shouted “jang rahay gi”, “we want freedom”, “down with pemra”, “booton ki sarkar ko hum nahi mantay”, demanding an end to clampdown on media. political leaders, like ppp’s dr israr shah, nargis faiz malik, mma’s liaquat baloch, human rights activists such as farzana bari and tahira abdullah, and some other members from the civil society and students also joined in to express solidarity with the journalist community. vowing to continue their move- ment against restrictions on media, journalists would set up a protest camp outside the dawn office on wednesday.
that ridiculed Mushrraf. Article by Kim Barker published in Chicago Tribune.
(Daily Times-A8)
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Jang
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The News editorial “Media and elections” |
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“The government must realise that gagging the media will not only fail to achieve this goal, but will also have the added distinction of harming the integrity of the polls -- no matter how sincerely he may conduct them. As for asking the television channels to sign a 'voluntary code of conduct', the f act of the matter is that any move for such a plan should come from the channels themselves with the government acting as a facilitator. The 'voluntary' code of conduct that many channels have signed, but some thankfully have not, may well keep the media in chains for a long, long time because there is no guarantee that once signed it will not be used by governments after this one goes to keep the fourth pillar of the state in check. Besides, by signing the 'voluntary' code of conduct, those news organisations that have so far done a fairly good job of objectively reporting the facts and reality in the country, in the process gaining a wide audience, will only be damaging their credibility -- and this will be hard to regain.” |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80545 |
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The Nation editorial “Stop Press” |
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“The nation's news media can determine the national interest on its own. The government's consistent attempts to take the credit for what it calls unprecedented press freedoms has to be accompanied by bearing the criticism that will accompany any such freedom to the press. It is sinfully convenient for the current dispensation of power to allege that any and all criticism of any nature is against the national interest but it is not the stuff that mature leadership is made of. A vibrant press is an asset for any country. Its vigilance has powered successful democracies throughout the world. The press, therefore, is not just supposed to uphold the national interest, it is the national interest.”
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/14/editorials4.php |
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The Nawa-i-Waqt editorial |
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“after new media policy, govt has no right to claim freedom for media. If govt remains cruel, media will continue its struggle and will never tolerate its freedom.”
(Nawa-i-Waqt-Editorial)
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Tape-ring it |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\14\story_14-11-2007_pg11_11 |
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The News Cartoon |
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http://thenews.jang.com.pk/stocks/2007-11-14/cartoon.htm |
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Geo Advertisement in the News |
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(News-11) |
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Media Miscellaneous
Journalists’ economic empowerment government achievement: Durrani |
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Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani Tuesday said the economic empowerment of the working journalists is one of the achievements of the PML government, which has taken unparalleled steps to ensure their welfare. The future governments would have to follow “in our footsteps” in this regard, he said while talking to a delegation of Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) Employees Union. The delegation called on the Minister to express their gratitude for the steps taken for the welfare of working journalists. Managing Director (MD) APP Rai Riaz Hussain, Chairman APP Employees Union Javed Qureshi, union president Abdul Latif Chaudhry and others were also present on the occasion. “Due to our prudent policies, the media sector has developed manifold and this progress has empowered the working journalists economically and socially. The government is fully committed to the welfare of the working journalists and all necessary steps are being taken for the well-being of the journalist community,” he said. |
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http://www.app.com.pk/en/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=20850&Itemid=1 |
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http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/nov2007-daily/14-11-2007/main.htm |
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Cable business fate hangs in the ‘balance of emergency’ |
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Cable network owners and operators are facing heavy financial losses in the wake of imposition of emergency as a significant number of subscribers have declined to pay their monthly bills for not showing private news television channels. They are also worried about the future of their business, as citizens now prefer getting their cables disconnected instead of paying the monthly bills ranging from Rs200 to Rs250. Since the government banned relaying news channels after imposing emergency on Nov 3, several scuffles between cable operators and subscribers for refusing to pay the bills have also been reported from different city areas. Due to this, the cable operators are facing a great deal of inconvenience in clearing utility bills and salaries of their staff. Some cable operators were reportedly relaying private news channels on the demand of their subscribers in Ghakkhar. When police raided their installations and arrested some of them and later tortured them for flouting the ban, some ruling Pakistan Muslim League office-bearers went to rescue them and assured the police that they (cable operators) would not violate the ban in future. Citizens have protested the ban on news channels and the arrest of cable operators and shopkeepers who were selling dish antennas and other related equipment. They said the government wanted to gag the media and keep the masses in ignorance about political developments in the country to rig the upcoming elections.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/14/nat24.htm |
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Media conference to mark start of AIDS Day campaign |
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National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) is launching a month-long campaign to commemorate World AIDS Day, which is observed on December 1 each year. The campaign will be launched at a media conference to be chaired by Director General Health Shahida Malik tomorrow (Thursday). The objective of the conference is to update and orientate the media about various ongoing initiatives for the prevention of HIV and AIDS, so that they can play an effective role in promoting awareness among the general population and eliminating the stigma and discrimination associated with HIV and AIDS.
The conference will also mark the launching of a booklet “From Prevention through Protection - Expanding HIV Response for Children and Young People in Pakistan”.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80701 |
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Intl media awaits BB whole day |
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Some foreign journalists term Benazir's actions drama | Indian journalist says politicians are unpredictable | Martial law govts never allow rallies: BBC reporter
The international print and electronic media spent the day outside the premises where Benazir Bhutto has been detained under section 3 of the Maintenance of the Public Order Ordinance. There were feelings of uncertainty, not among the residents of the area but people belonging to the international media who were much confused about the prevailing situation. DHA residents seemed as if detained within their house due to police restrictions. A five years old child told The Post: 'I have never seen this much police earlier". Pakilton, a Korean TV representative, while talking to The Post, said that 'his team was here just to cover the long march of PPP and whatever they were experiencing was confusing. He was of the belief that the whole drama was being staged to confuse the people and media as it might be part of the deal which had earlier been going on between BB and Pervaiz Musharraf. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=128542&catid=3 |
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Movies
First Pakistani film to enthral Indian viewers soon |
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THE great debate on whether to let Indian films play in Pakistan and Pakistani ones in India finally ended when a decision allowing a Pakistani production to be displayed in India in a month?s time was reached. The Pakistan government has already allowed exchange of Indo-Pak films on reciprocal basis. Under this exchange programme, 24 films each of both the countries would be shown in both the countries in a year. The Ministry of Culture here would issues a notification to this effect anytime within a month formerly kicking off the exchange process. In an exclusive interview to The News, Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association vice chairman Zoraiz Lashari said a special committee comprised of renowned film directors, producers, cinema owners and film exhibitors was given the task to devise a mechanism about the modalities of the film exchange programme between Pakistan and India. The special committee presented its final recommendations to the Federal Culture Ministry high-ups including the ministry?s additional secretary, Censor Board chairman Azfar Shafqat and Jamal Shah in its conclusive meeting held in the provincial capital on Tuesday. The special 12-member committee include Syed Noor, Madam Sangeeta, Sheikh Akhter Ali, Shahzad Gul, Jamsheed Zafar, Nadeem Mandviwala, Gul Akbar Afridi, Jahanzeb Beg, Suhail Khan and Satish Anand. It is being led by Lashari. The committee was formed earlier by Federal Secretary Ministry of Culture, Shahid Rafi.
This committee was formed after a national conference on the film industry that was held in Islamabad in February 2007. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80665 |
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Indian films screening termed beneficial to cinema workers |
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Qaisar Sanaullah, Chairman Pakistan Cinema Management Association, has said that Indian films screening should be held in local cinemas so that over 60,000 cinema workers may get financial benefits.Qaisar said this in a meeting with delegation of officials of Culture Ministry at Awain-e-Iqbal Tuesday. He stressed the need of allowing the exhibition of Indian films as scores of cinema workers lost their jobs when over 500 cinemas in the country were closed.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80666 |
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Books
PAL to publish ‘life and work’ series of literary greats |
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The Pakistan Academy of Letters (PAL) is to publish a series of tomes titled ‘Pakistani Adab Ke Memar’ on the life and works of the trend setting men of letters in the various languages of Pakistan. PAL Chairman Iftikhar Arif said that this was an attempt to impart maximum information about prominent Pakistani writers and 50 books of this series had already been published. The works include Dr Jameel Jalbi, Life and Work by Abdul Aziz Sahir, Rehman Baba, Life and Work by Dr Parvaiz Mehjoor Khawaishgi, Atta Shad, Life and Work by Afzal Murad, Mian Muhammad Bukhsh, Life and Work by Hameed Ullah Hashmi, Qalandar Momand, Life and Work by Prof Muhammad Zubair Hasrat, Ameer Hamza Khan Shinwari, Life and Work by Dr Qabil Khan Afridi, Khawaja Ghulam Farid, Life and Work by Dr Tahir Toonsvi, Dr Nabi Bakhsh Baloch, Life and Work by Rashid Sheikh, Shahid Ahmed Dehlvi, Life and Work by Begum Taj Farrukhi and Nasir Kazmi, Life and Work by Basir Sultan Kazmi. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\14\story_14-11-2007_pg7_49 |
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Telecommunication
Govt increases mobile phone and Internet surveillance |
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The government has increased surveillance of Internet and mobile phone companies and is now considering placing certain embargoes on both, Geo News reported on Tuesday. The channel said that the government has banned the import of microwave devices and other equipment used in mobile phones and Internet use, which would badly affect the two industries. Import of video cameras has also been banned, the channel added. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\14\story_14-11-2007_pg7_52 |
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Mobile users complain of SMS frauds |
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Mobile customers have complained of cheating and fraud activities being conducted through the short message service (SMS). A customer Zubair Hussain said, “I received a message telling me that I have won a prize of Rs100,000. When I visited the mobile company’s head office according to the SMS information, they showed complete ignorance to it.” Another customer Sher Khan said, “Several SMSs that I received informed me that I have won a prize of Rs50,000 but someone told me that this is a fraud and I should never act accordingly”.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=80716 |
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http://www.jang.com.pk/jang/nov2007-daily/14-11-2007/main.htm |
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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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