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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Acting CJ takes suo motu against police: Warns media not to take judicial matters lightly |
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The Acting CJ said media should assess the impact of the news items on the country. "We protect healthy journalism and believe in the freedom of press. The journalists should not take the judicial matters lightly and emotions should not be involved in it. Eighty percent of the steps ordered by the Supreme Judicial Council, vis-à-vis media coverage, are being implemented and the rest of the measures would also be implemented by today," he said. In some television programmes, the persons knowing nothing about the constitution and law are invited, he said, adding that intellectuals and reputed lawyers should be invited in such programmes. Replying a question he said there would have been a constitutional crisis in the country if he had not taken oath as the Acting CJ. He said he couldn't have escaped the responsibility to keep the apex court functional. "I'll go back to my chamber soon as conditions return to normality," he added. Justice Javed Iqbal said the advice of the Supreme Judicial Council would be strictly enforced from today and no government official or media would be allowed to comment on it. "We should strengthen institutions instead of persons," he said.
(Express-1)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Fb_ShortNewsT.aspx?fbshortid=1727&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current&bcatid=14&bstatus=Current |
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Supreme Judicial Council's press release |
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A Press release has been issued by Supreme Court in which Judicial Council has announced that SJC believes in freedom of expression. A transparent mechanism is being developed to keep public informed about hearing of the case. Court has issued directives to the Advocate General of Pakistan to ensure that the Chief Justice has access to his lawyers.
(Express-1)
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Media Advice by Ministry of Information |
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Government has banned news, analysis and writings related to case about the Chief Justice. Media advice has been issued by Ministry of Information. Media community has been advised to avoid news, analysis, and other writings in context to reference filed against Chief Justice. On other side government officials are busy in commenting on reference in press briefings and different other programs.
(Express-3)
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Reporters not allowed in Musharraf’s meeting |
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Authorities cancelled on Wednesday all passes issued to local journalists for the coverage of President General Pervez Musharraf’s visit. The Information Department collected pictures, national identity cards and other documents from the local journalists one month ago and sent them to the Presidency for security clearance. A few days ago, the department issued passes to reporters but on Wednesday reporters were told that all passes had been cancelled and no one was allowed to enter the venue of a public meeting to be addressed by the President today (Thursday).
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/15/nat35.htm |
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Govt may use PEMRA to curb freedom of press: PFUJ |
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The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) expressed concern over restriction on media following March 9 episode and feared that the government may use organisations like the PEMRA to harm freedom of the press. In a statement issued from Karachi, the PFUJ said the government apparently scared of the objective reporting and now in cover of restrictions on reporting of the proceedings of the “in-camera” trial of suspended Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry, may bring more restrictions on the coverage and talk-shows.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3382&catid=2 |
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Petition in LHC to bar govt from obstructing freedom of press |
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A writ petition has been filed before Lahore High Court (LHC) to bar government from hurdling freedom of press in the country. Petition has requested the court that government should be asked that no directives should be issued for private channels to bar information access for public. M. D Tahir Advocate has filed petition through Dr. Farouk Hassan.
(Jang-1)
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Punjab Bar notice to lawyer for filing case against TV channels |
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Punjab Bar Council has issued a notice to lawyer Muhammad Arshad who filed a petition to bar TV channels for their coverage to present judicial turmoil. In this regard a show cause notice has been issued. In notice, PBC has asked to show cause since his act is against the interests of lawyers. It is professional misconduct.
(Jang 14 March 07-1)
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LHCBA and PUJ denounce Wasi for abusing journalist |
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The Lahore High Court Bar Association (LHCBA) on Wednesday declared Federal Law Minister Wasi Zafar as ‘Wasi Duffer’ for abusing a journalist during a live interview, LHCBA president Ahsen Bhoon said. He said the LHCBA had already cancelled his membership. He said, “One could not expect such attitude from a federal minister and a member of the bar.” He said the minister was a burden on the bar and had no right to remain LHCBA member. Bhoon expressed solidarity with journalists. The LHCBA meeting accused Federal Information Minister Muhammed Ali Durrani as the top liar of the millennium.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\15\story_15-3-2007_pg13_5 |
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The News Editorial: A matter of shame |
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The abusive language used by none other than the law minister against a journalist of this newspaper during a live round-table discussion aired by a US-based radio network is shameful. The minister, who in the past has been reported for slapping a waiter in a five-star hotel and also looking on as his son allegedly thrashed a passenger at Karachi airport in 2005 (the passenger became irate after he saw the son jump the queue), was clearly out of line as he spoke in very intemperate language on the programme. The minister seems to have become annoyed by the presence of the said journalist who had some two years ago covered the airport incident. He then referred to the headline of that 2005 story and extrapolating from its headline, 'Long arm of the law', went on to make crude and unprintable remarks.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=46889 |
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Dawn Editorial: Conduct unbecoming |
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PERHAPS the federal minister for law, justice and human rights draws strength from the fact that he no longer has a reputation to protect. Even by his notoriously lax standards, Mr Wasi Zafar plummeted to new depths of ignominy on Tuesday when he thoroughly disgraced his office during a radio discussion, aired internationally, on the action initiated against the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Although the law minister claimed he was speaking in parables, the implicit threat was clear: he would sort out not only the Islamabad-based journalist who was also a panellist on the Voice of America programme and with whom he apparently has a history of bad blood, he would fix his family as well.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/15/ed.htm#2 |
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The Post Editorial: “Long” versus “Big” |
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Our Federal Minister for Law, Justice and Human Rights, Muhammad Wasi Zafar has become the centre of people’s attention for all the wrong reasons — or so it appears. The minister has been caught on the wrong foot for misinterpreting the expression “long arm of the law” the journalist Ansar Abbasi used in the headline of his news story about the minister in August 2005 in local English daily.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=87289&catid=10 |
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Letters to Dawn Editor, Theatre of the absurd |
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Series of letters describe, “To hear the law minister use the kind of language he did on a programme on Voice of America’s Urdu transmission was shameful and disgusting.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/15/letted.htm#1 |
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Foil anti-govt media drive, says Durrani |
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Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani has urged the media to foil the disinformation campaign launched by the opposition parties against the government. "The national media should foil this bid of the opposition which has been launched by the rejected politicians," he said while addressing a press conference here at the PTV headquarters on Wednesday. Flanked by PTV Managing Director Ashraf Azeem and Director Administration Zahoor Ahmed Barlas, Durrani said the government was functioning normally.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?bdtl_id=5093&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
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PBA condemns move to take two channels off air |
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The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has condemned the fact that two of its member channels were taken off air on March 12 and 13. PBA General Secretary Arshad A. Zuberi said that an emergency meeting of the PBA Board of Directors was held Wednesday in Karachi. Participants strongly felt that such draconian measures were counterproductive and sullied the image of the country which President General Pervez Musharraf and Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz were endeavoring to improve.
(Jang-8)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\15\story_15-3-2007_pg12_7 |
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Media watchdog blasts censorship on CJ issue |
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A global media watchdog on Wednesday condemned the Pakistan government for allegedly censoring the coverage of protests against the sacking of the country's Chief Justice. Paris-based 'Reporters Without Borders' said that the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority suspended broadcasts by the private Aaj and Geo television stations after they screened footage on Monday of clashes between police and lawyers.
(Jang-8)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=87387&catid=17 |
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Silent protest by writers |
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Islamabad based Writers organized a silent protest against humiliation of Chief Justice by police outside Islamabad Rawalpindi Press Club camp office in Melody. Ahmed Faraz led the congregation. Congregation of writers showed solidarity with the Chief Justice.
(Express-3) (Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
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Cinemas to go on token strike today |
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All cinemas of the country will remain closed on Thursday (today) to mark the weekly token strike announced by the Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association. The cinema owners in a press conference held at Lahore Press Club Wednesday urged the government to allow the screening of Bollywood movies to boost the cinema industry. Jehanzeb Baig, president Pakistan Film Exhibitors Association (PFEA), while talking to reporters said that all the cinemas across the country would go on token strike once a week from March 15. Head of Mandviwalla Entertainment Company Nadeem Mandviwalla was also present on the occasion.
(The Nation-3)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=87337&catid=3 |
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Import of Indian films demanded to save cinemas |
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A token strike will commence on March 15 and continue on Thursdays until April 12 when all cinemas in Pakistan will close for a week. This was announced by Pakistan Film Exhibitors’ Association in a press conference held here on Wednesday. The participants of the press conference included the chairman of the Association for Punjab and NWFP Jehan Zaib Baig, vice chairman Shahbaz Khan, senior vice chairman Mian Iftikhar Sukher, Mian Shakeel and some other members of the association.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\15\story_15-3-2007_pg7_35 |
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APNS's Annual General Council meeting on March 29 |
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The Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society at a meeting held at Islamabad under the chairmanship of its President, Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman, decided to hold its Annual General Council Meeting on Thursday, March 29, 2007 at Karachi.
(The Nation-5)
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/14/nationalnews11.php |
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PM orders for world class press club |
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Prime Minister Shukat Aziz has ordered for a world class press club in Islamabad. Information Minister Muhammad Ali Khan Durrani told media men in Islamabad. Ministry of Information will pay the price of the land.
(Khabrian-8)
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Journalists can play a vital role in indo-Pak peace process |
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Media can play a vital role in ongoing peace process between India and Pakistan said Raja Muhammad Yaseen Khan special advisor on information to AJK Prime Minister while talking to a group of journalists.
(Daily Times-B2)
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Radio Pakistan not broadcasting World Cup |
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Radio Pakistan is not transmitting live coverage of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2007 for the first time in world cup history. Pakistan's 70 percent rural population are dependent on transistors to listen to commentary but the authorities of the Pakistan Radio did not bother to buy the broadcasting rights of the world cup. It is worth mentioning that private radio channels are broadcasting live commentary but they are confined to the big cities while millions of people living in villages could not enjoy the running commentary.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=87344&catid=3 |
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Workshop for journalists concludes at British Council |
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The 3-day workshop titled 'A mission to explain: The role of journalism in promoting inter-cultural understanding' concluded at the office of the British Council on Wednesday. Several journalists from all the leading local English language dailies from across the country participated in the workshop, which was organized by the Commonwealth Press Union (CPU) in collaboration with British Council.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=87333&catid=3 |
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Media urged to promote biotech in OIC countries |
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Organisation of Islamic Countries (OIC) members in the concluding session of a 3-day conference here at COMSTECH on Wednesday urged media personnel to play their role in raising awareness about biotechnology. The Science and technology (S&T) ministers of six OIC countries, including Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines and Egypt, participated in the conference and highlighted the media’s role in the promotion of biotechnology.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\15\story_15-3-2007_pg11_9 |
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Moot on medico-legal system |
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War Against Rape (WAR) Lahore chapter arranged a discussion on the medico-legal system in the country at a local hotel on Wednesday. A large number of people from different walks of life including the health department, the Law Ministry, the Women Development Ministry, medical-legal officers from Burki and Chung rural health centres, doctors, lawyers and media people participated in it and discussed various aspects of the medico-legal system.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNewsT.aspx?dtlid=87357&catid=3 |
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TUJ polls on April 25 |
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The election for Tribal Union of Journalists has been postponed until April 25 with a view to finalize an acceptable list of members.
(The News-11)
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Rich tribute paid to Ahmad Ali Khan |
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Soyem for Dawn’s late Editor-in-Chief, Ahmad Ali Khan, was held on Wednesday at Sultan Masjid for men and at his residence for women. Besides relatives and family friends, the Soyem was attended by veteran politician and one of the leaders of Pakistan Movement, Yusuf Haroon, and a large number of writers, senior journalists and legislators.
(Dawn-19)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/15/nat4.htm |
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The Nation Editorial on Ahmed Ali Khan The end of an era |
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WITH the death of Ahmed Ali Khan, Pakistani journalism has lost one of its most distinguished pioneers. He joined Dawn in 1946 in Delhi and migrated to Pakistan in 1949. After a stint at The Pakistan Times he went back to Dawn to subsequently become its longest-serving editor. His professional competence was accompanied by an inspiring confidence and an admirable humility.
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/15/editorials3.php |
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The Post Editorial Adieu, Khan Sahib! |
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Ahmad Ali Khan’s death marks the end of a glorious chapter in the history of journalism in this country. But this is an understatement, for he was more than an astute and competent journalist. Known to his friends and colleagues as Khan Sahib, he was a person who had a firm belief in the supremacy of truth and fairness. Driven by the power of his conviction, Ahmad Ali Khan kept aloft the flag of press independence in an illustrious career spanning 59 years.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=87288&catid=10 |
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Daily Times Editorial Ahmad Ali Khan (1924-2007) |
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Pakistan’s grand old man of journalism, Ahmad Ali Khan, has died at the age of 83 after serving Dawn for over 30 years. There was no flamboyance in the man and no adventurism associated with the likes of ZA Suleri and Dawn’s own Altaf Husain. He stuck to his principles of non-alliance with politicians and soldiers and was able to maintain his objective view of politics in Pakistan.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\15\story_15-3-2007_pg3_1 |
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Nawa-e-Waqt editorial on Ahmed Ali Khan |
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Nawa-e-Waqt editorial on Ahmed Ali Khan describes him a great journalist.
(Nawa-e-Waqt- Editorial)
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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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