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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Assault
SANGHAR: Police storm Sanghar press club |
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A heavy contingent of police, led by the TPO of Shahdadpur, Aslam Langah, stormed the local press club on Monday. He also kicked the doors of the club and used abusive language against journalists. The TPO said that he was looking for a reporter of "Daily Ummat", Irshad Zafar Bukhari. The President of the press club, Ramzan Panhwar, asked the TPO to behave and not to use abusive language. The TPO, in return, misbehaved with the president of the club and said that “he (TPO) will teach a lesson to journalists”. An urgent general body meeting was called by the members of the press club which condemned the highhandedness of the police.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/15/local31.htm |
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Damage
Private TV channel website hacked |
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Some unidentified people, after hacking into a private TV channel's website Monday morning, pasted abusive language against President General Pervez Musharraf on the website, causing a lot of embarrassment for the channel administration as well as the visitors. However, the website was regained and repaired by the authorities concerned late Monday evening.
(Dailytimes-A12)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?bdtl_id=5756&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
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Attack on Aaj TV
Farooq Sattar apologizes for attack on TV channel offices |
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Muttahida Qaumi Movement’s deputy convenor and parliamentary leader in the National Assembly Dr Farooq Sattar has apologised for the May 12 attack on Aaj TV channel offices in Karachi and the treatment meted out to media people on the day. Speaking at a press conference here on Monday, he said maintenance of law and order was the responsibility of the provincial government and “being part of the provincial as well as the federal government I fully accept the responsibility for what happened”. He said the loss to property and vehicles would be compensated. The MQM leader promised an inquiry into the firing on the Aaj TV offices and violence against the media and said the basic membership of MQM workers found involved in any action against the press would be cancelled.
(Khabrian-8) (Nawa-I-Waqt-1)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=7842 |
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SID denies violence against media |
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The Sindh Information Department (SID) has denied media reports that on May 12, media persons were subjected to violence or any harsh treatment and termed them negative, fabricated and misleading, based on vested interests. According to an official handout issued on Monday, a spokesman for the SID said that media was given full liberty to perform their professional responsibilities and no negative tactics were used to create hurdles. He said that two groups exchanged fire at Guru Mandir but nobody attacked Aaj TV channel as no media person was hurt and there was no damage to the building as well.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=56020 |
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Media watchdog flays attack on Aaj TV |
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Reporters Without Borders on Monday condemned the MQM workers attacks against the offices of Aaj TV and the daily Business Recorder in the southern city of Karachi on May12. The employees were trapped in the building due to heavy gunfire for nearly six hours, during this the security forces did not intervene. An Aaj TV journalist told Reporters Without Borders the attacks began after the station refused to comply with MQM's request to stop covering the protests. Six journalists were beaten and injured while covering incidents at Karachi airport. Fareed Farooqi of the Daily Times, Shahzad of CNBC TV and Aftab Baig of the Jang newspaper were attacked and their equipment was smashed.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/MainNewsT.aspx?bdtl_id=5752&fb_id=2&catid=14 |
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Parliamentarians angry at Karachi massacre assault on media |
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Rans Qasier covers the proceedings of Senate and National Assembly in ‘press gallery’. The journalists too staged a token walk out from the Senate and National Assembly proceedings to protest the firing incident at Aaj TV office. Three ministers visited press lounge to listen to journalists. The ministers’ salience was understandable. They could hardly condemn the MQM after their “boss” had appreciated its sho of strength in Karachi.
(Dailytimes-A4)
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Opposition walks out of Senate |
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With lawmakers of the combined opposition walking out of the Senate in protest against Saturday’s killings in Karachi, the government was forced to seek adjournment of the proceedings on Monday, as a mark of ‘mourning’ for the victims. Later, addressing a news conference, opposition leaders blamed federal and Sindh governments for incidents of target killings, firing and arson incidents and attack on media organizations in the city and demanded the sacking of the Sindh governor.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/15/top6.htm |
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Journalist boycott NA, Senate proceedings |
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The parliament reporters on Monday boycotted proceedings of National Assembly and Senate as protest against the firing at the building of Aaj TV channel. They accused provincial government and MQM of firing at the building of private channel. They claimed that MQM threatened the journalists of TV channel on telephone and asked them to stop the coverage of chief justice.
(Nation-12) (Dailytimes-A4) (Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
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NA session adjourned amid rumpus |
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The National Assembly session was adjourned on Monday after the opposition strongly protested the May 12 killings and attack on the offices of a private TV channel in Karachi. The House witnessed rumpus when the opposition lawmakers shouted, “Zalimo Jawab Do, Khoon Ka Hisab Do”, “Qatilo Jawab Do, Khoon Ka Hisaab Do”. Meanwhile, media persons also staged a walkout from the press gallery to protest the attack on the Aaj TV offices and targeting of journalists in Karachi. However, amid the pandemonium Minister for Parliamentary Affairs Dr Sher Afgan Niazi moved a motion, asking the chair to suspend all the agenda items and hold a debate on the worsening law and order situation in Karachi. The House was adjourned after 10-minute proceedings for today (Tuesday) at 10am. Later, State Minister for Information Tariq Azeem along with some other cabinet members visited the Press Lobby of the Parliament House. Mediapersons demanded of the government to table their four demands on the floor of the House today (Tuesday) which was accepted by Azeem. Speaking on the occasion, Azeem assured them that their four demands would be tabled in the National Assembly today (Tuesday). The demands include an unconditional apology from the Sindh government, an inquiry through a Supreme Court judge into the attack on Aaj TV’s offices in Karachi and targeting of mediapersons on the day Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry arrived in Karachi.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=7839 |
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Media persons staged a walkout from the Senate press gallery |
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Media persons also staged a walkout from the Senate press gallery to protest the attack on the Aaj TV offices and targeting of journalists in Karachi. However, on behalf of leader of the House Waseem Sajjid, Senator Nisar Memon approached to journalists and listen their demands. He promised that demands would be tabled in house. Media persons asked Nisar Memon that MQM should sought apology from media.
(Khabrian-3)
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Journalists condemn attack on TV channel in Karachi |
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Condemning the attack on the office of AAJ TV on last Saturday Journalists on Monday staged a protest demonstration here in front of Parliament House. The protest was organised by Rawalpindi Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) and attended by a large number of journalists. They were holding placards and banners inscribed with slogans including “Free press”, “Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Haye Haye” and Government of Sindh Haye Haye. Speaking on the occasion, President Rawalpindi Islamabad Press Club Mustaq Minhas said government is targeting the journalist community through plan way and want to conceal the fact. He demanded of the government to constitute a committee to probe the incident on immediate basis otherwise the journalist would prolong their protest.
He said MQM should apologise from media and specially form AAJ TV and Should compensate journalists who injured on the occasion and lost their cameras. MQM should ensure that they would not repeat such kind of act in future, he added.
(Dailytimes-A4) (Khabrian-8)
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http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/may-2007/15/nationalnews2.php |
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Journalists observe black day |
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Journalists from the print and electronic media observed “Black Day,” on Monday. They marched from the Karachi Press Club towards the Governor House and held a sit-in outside to protest the firing on Aaj TV offices and premeditated, violent attacks on media men covering the May 12 incidents in Karachi, vowing to defend the freedom of the press at all costs. The protest demonstration was part of a nationwide black day that was observed by journalists on the call of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in which they demanded protection and more safety measures. In Islamabad, journalists held a demonstration outside the Parliament House, wearing black arms band. In Karachi the protest meeting, organised by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), expressed criticism of a federal minister who instead of regretting the attacks on the media, criticised journalists, calling them “opposition journalists”.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=56014 |
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Demo against govt attempts to gag media |
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Media persons on Monday staged a protest demonstration in front of the Parliament House to mark the bloody May 12 as a black day, demanding protection and a free environment to mediapersons for their professional duties. A number of opposition senators and MNAs joined the demonstration to express solidarity with the journalists, photojournalists and cameramen. Holding black placards against the government as well as its key ally, Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM), media organisations' representatives, including Mushtaq Minhas and Afzal Butt, spoke on the occasion denouncing the measures aimed at gagging the media.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=56032 |
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Attack on media in Karachi condemned |
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The Citizens’ Media Commission of Pakistan (CMCP) has expressed shock over the tragic loss of life, injuries and destruction of property in Karachi over the weekend. The CMCP’s Islamabad chapter, in a statement, said the happenings of the day would always be remembered as a black mark on the face of Pakistan. “On this day, the fascist forces of the regime and its coalition allies were let loose to wreak havoc with the lives of innocent Pakistanis in well-planned and orchestrated armed attacks,” it noted. Throughout the day, the CMCP said, there was no sign of government law enforcement agencies, fire brigades, ambulances or any other attempt to provide rescue or relief to the citizens. The commission also condemned the armed attack on the offices of Aaj Television and the burning of vehicles parked in its compound.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/15/nat16.htm |
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Chakwal Journalists observe black day |
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The local Journalists observed “Black Day,” at Chakwal press club on Monday. Journalists wore black bands on their arms and passed a resolution condemning attack on a private channel and high handedness of the government functionaries with chief justice in Karachi on May 12. Lawyers also protest against Karachi killing, Aaj TV. The lawyers’ community of Chakwal district observed complete strike on Monday. In different parts of country, media community held protest rallies to condemn the firing at Aaj offices.
(News-5) (Nation-5) (Khabrain-3)
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Letter to Editor “Attack on Aaj TV” |
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Khalil Zafar says, “the event of May 12, 2007 will be embedded in the minds of people of Karachi forever. Media through out Pakistan gave full support to Aaj TV. All private channels condemned the barbaric act and termed it attack on freedom of press.”
(Dailytimes-A7)
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Media Regulation
Websites of Newspapers and TV channels will be monitored |
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Responsible sources have revealed that decision has been taken to monitor the websites of newspapers and TV channels. Directives have been issued in this regard. Sources told that 40 websites have been blocked already for the projection of anti government materials. Now Media websites are being monitored strictly. A representative of second largest internet service provider of Islamabad has told that they are receiving complaints on daily bases for blockage of different newspaper and media websites.
(Jang-8)
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Critique on Media
Widow of killed SC official accuses channel for coloring the murder a burglary |
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Shibana Raza the Widow of killed Supreme Court official Syed Hmmad Raza who was assassinated in Islamabad ordered the Geo reporter to leave the room. She alleged that your channel was coloring the murder case as a robbery on behalf of government directions. She asked Geo reporter to leave the room. She alleged that channel was presenting the murder case as a burglary. It was not the fact. When another reported tried to interview her, she refused to talk. She said media should not become party but project true facts.
(Express-1)
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ISPR clarifies report |
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The ISPR has contradicted news appearing in section of press that Chief Justice Sindh High Court had called corps Commander Karachi. A spokesman of ISPR said it was unfortunate that some section of press were indulging in uncalled for controversies and sensationalizing issues without reason. The spokesman asked the media to refrain from such baseless reporting.
(News-9)
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Media Protest
Grand Jirga for release of journalist |
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Grand Jirga has been formed for the release of journalist Zuber Shaheen in Dera Ismail Khan. Addressing the grand jirga of Rajppot community, Nazim UC #4 announced the establishment of Jirga. Speakers addressing the jirga urged the administration to eliminate police rule. Grand jirga will meet higher authorities and convey the concerns of media community about the arrest of Zubeer Shaheen.
(Aaj-2)
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Media Miscellaneous
Passenger complain of ‘lewd’ movies |
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Lewd Indian films are shown in passenger buses traveling on the Islamabad Lahore route, passenger said. The passenger had appealed to PEMRA and government to take action against bus owners. They said that movies that were banned by the government for cable TV channels and cinemas were shown to passengers in buses. The passengers demanded that traffic police be given the authority to check buses and impose fines on violators.
(Dailytimes-B1)
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Media conference postponed due to Law and order situation |
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PEMRA’s Electronic Media conference has been postponed due to the worst law and order situation in Karachi. Media Conference was scheduled to commence today in Karachi. Pemra officials have decided to announce new dates after normalcy restores in Karachi.
(Khabrian-8)
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Anwer calls for responsible reporting |
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Secretary information and broadcasting Syed Anwer Mehmood here Monday urged media to ensure responsible reporting on issues of national concern and always keep national interest supreme. Media should not highlight such issues that may harm national interests he said while inaugurating a week long workshop organized by Information Services Academy ISA for skill development of journalists from FATA and Northern areas.
(News-20) (Nawa-i-Waqt-3)
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Babar addresses Pak-Bangladesh moot: Secrecy culture undermines media, parliament freedom |
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Freedom of media and independence of parliament in Pakistan have been gravely undermined by the culture of secrecy and behind the façade of terms like national security and national interest. Speaking at a Pak-Bangladesh moot in Islamabad Monday, former senator Farhatullah Babar said it was for the people to define 'national interest' through their elected representatives and the security agencies alone could not assume exclusive monopoly over what constituted national interest. Journalists in Pakistan and Bangladesh should take stock of the anti-media freedom laws and press for adopting legislative measures in order to utilise the full potential of media in playing its role in regional stability and cooperation, he said. The journalists' bodies in Pakistan and Bangladesh should propose a model protocol on freedom of information and the Secret Act for adoption by respective legislatures of the two countries, he said.
(Jang-8)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/ShortNewsT.aspx?shortid=3698&catid=2 |
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Cable
Editorial “Cable Mafia” |
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Khabrain editorial comments, “Cable operators have made difficult to watch cable TV due to presentation of vulgar movies on cable TV networks. Government should introduce a code of conduct for cable operators. All cable operators should be forced to follow the code of conduct. Illegal Advertising is another issue that should also be noticed.”
(Khabrain-Editorial)
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Radio
Fm listening | Buffing up FM channels by Sehrish Wasif |
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Is media craze in Pakistan really escalating? This is best depicted by the huge upsurge in the number of private FM channels in the country. Up till now Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has issued 103 licenses to private channels out of which 70 are in full operation. Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) is also in full swagger and is expected to launch 47 FM channels across the country soon. No doubt strong communications are vital for the development of a country. On the one hand, these community-based FM stations are helping in bridging the communication gap between the various segments of the society; and on the other they are playing a massive role in creating awareness and providing entertainment to the masses.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNewsT.aspx?dtlid=97265&catid=17 |
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Radio legend Munni Baji dies |
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Perveen Akhtar, popularly known as Munni Baji, who ruled the hearts of children for many years, died of heart failure here on Tuesday. She was 78. “She was like a mother to all of us — her siblings. And her departure today is a huge loss for us,” Maqsood Bhai, the youngest of Munni Baji’s four siblings and a stage artiste, told Dawn. He said Munni Baji had not married and had dedicated her life to raising her two brothers and as many sisters.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/05/15/local4.htm |
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Announcement
Freedom of Media---Situation in Pakistan |
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Press Institute of Pakistan will organize a seminar on “Freedom of Media—Situation in Pakistan. Seminar will be held at its auditorium 4-C LDA Flats Lawrence road Peshawar on May 16 at 3 o clock. Majeed Nazami Editor Nawa-i-Waqt group will chair the seminar.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-8
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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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