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RESOURCE CENTER - MEDIA MONITOR |
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Saturday June 16, 2007
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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Attack on Media
Intimidation
Militant group out to punish journalists |
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The so called Lashkar-i-Islam in Bara sub division of Khyber Agency is now out to punish the journalists, particularly Nasurllah Afridi for reporting about the activities. The Mangal Bagh led Lashkar I Islam has become a symbol of terror in Bara region of the agency. The failure and helplessness of political administration of Khyber agency, before the so called religious group could be gauged from the fact that the gun totting and illiterate stalwarts of the group forced a father to dash to Peshawar Press Club just for addressing a press conference against his journalist son. No other than management of Peshawar press club could be appreciated for refusing to honor wishes of the helpless father, also accompanied by Lashkar stalwarts. After the attack Nasurllah Afridi has voluntarily decided to stop covering events taking place in Khyber agency. Despite knowledge of decision of journalist, Lashkar blamed him for his campaign. The Lashkar even asked his father to vacate his home and petrol pump so that they set them on fire. The Lashkar also banned sale in Bara of daily, Nasurallh was attached with and warned that those buying or reading the paper would be fined Rs 500.
(News-4)
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Cleric issues Fatwa to kill editor, publisher |
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The chief cleric of the Lal Masjid has issued a decree against the chief editor and the publisher of monthly Octane and demanded the government punish them for publishing "nude pictures of Prophet Adam and Eve" in June. "Who is willing to be next to Aamer Cheema," Maulana Abdul Aziz exhorted his followers while addressing a Jumma sermon here. "Who will kill the chief editor and chief publisher of monthly Octane that published snaps of Hazrat Adam and Eve in their June publication." Recalling the past incident of a Danish-based newspaper which published blasphemous caricatures, Rashid Ghazi, Maulana Aziz's brother, rather turned emotional and enthused, "The accused (authorities of Octane) have committed a grave sin and should be punished accordingly."
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=6133&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=06/16/2007&fcatid=14
http://nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/16/index5.php
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Censorship
Begum Nawazish Ali going off air |
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Aaj TV’s ‘Late Night Show with Begum Nawazish Ali’ will go off air from July 1. The programme’s host Ali Saleem told newsmen that the government pressure was behind the decision, reported BBC Urdu. BBC quoted Saleem as saying that he would host the last 82nd episode. He said GHQ had ordered to shut down the show after only the eighth episode but allowed him to continue with orders not to criticise army.
(Express-8)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\16\story_16-6-2007_pg7_9 |
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Media in Courts
Petition moved against PEMRA |
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Advocate Tariq Aziz Malik has moved a petition before the Lahore High Court requesting to restraint the secretary information and the Pakistan electronic media regulatory authority (PEMRA) from barring the electronic media from covering Pakistan Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry’s (CJP) visits to various bar associations across the country. He said the TV channels were giving live coverage to the CJP’s addresses to the lawyers in various cities across the country. He said the PEMRA through a letter had restrained the TV channels from the live coverage without any justification. He asserted that such action had no legal value and the TV channels could not stopped from the live coverage.
(Jang-8) (Express-8) |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\16\story_16-6-2007_pg7_28 |
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LHC issues notice to PEMRA chairman |
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A full bench of the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday while hearing three petitions issued notice for the second time to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairman to file a reply within a week. The court also issued instructions to the chairman to provide the copies of his comments to the petitioners. During previous hearing the court had issued notice to the chairman for personal appearance, but he did not show up. A full bench comprising, Justice Muhammad Muzammal Khan, Justice Syed Shabbar Raza Rizvi and Justice Hamid Ali Shah passed this order while hearing two identical petitions filed on behalf of the Punjab People’s Lawyers Forum (PLF) and senior lawyer MD Tahir challenging the PEMRA (Amended) Ordinance 2007. A third petition was filed by advocate Muhammad Arshad in which he had challenged the operation of two private TV channels. On Friday Punjab PEMRA executive consultant KB Aleem appeared before the court. The bench on the petition of the PLF issued notice to the PEMRA chairman. Earlier on March 12, Justice Hamid Ali Shah while taking up two petitions had sought reply from the PEMPA and referred the petition to the LHC chief justice to constitute a larger bench for next hearing of the petition. In the first petition, Mr Tahir requested that the government and the PEMRA should be restrained from interfering in the maintenance of freedom of press. He alleged that at present the federation was suppressing the press and was preventing the people from accessing information about the current affairs especially the suspension of the Chief Justice of Pakistan’s issue. He said the PEMRA has no authority to prevent the TV channels from reporting and telecasting facts regarding the violence, terrorism and national sovereignty.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\16\story_16-6-2007_pg7_27 |
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Critique on Media
News item contradicted |
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The report by Ansar Abbasi ‘Feast or famine for witnesses’, appearing in The News on June 15 2007, is a malicious attempt to mislead the readers through half truths, conjecturing and distortion of facts, according to a press release issued by the government.The press release said: “In all expectations, Mr Ansar Abbasi will say that he stands by his story but he does not have any proof to substantiate his wrongful claims. The full court of Honourable Supreme Court hearing the CJP case has taken commendable action against a journalist who tried to cast aspersions on the Hon Judges. It would be in the fitness of things if similar action is taken against other errant journalists who are trying to malign senior government functionaries, especially those who have submitted affidavits on basis of conjecturing alone and deny the people the right to know true facts.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Media Protest
Global Action Day’ for Pakistani press freedom: Govt urged to probe violence against journalists |
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In over 100 countries of the world, journalists marked Friday as ‘Global Action Day’ to express solidarity with their Pakistani counterparts, pressing the government in Islamabad to “safeguard press freedom” and to conduct inquiries into violence against journalists. The International Federation of Journalists - with over 500,000 members across the world - and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists had given the call for the day after attacks on independent media in the country increased after March 9 when President General Pervez Musharraf moved a reference against the Supreme Court chief justice on the charges of alleged misconduct.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\16\story_16-6-2007_pg7_33 |
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Journalists observe Global Action Day |
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Journalists on Friday set up protest camps and held demonstrations to mark the Global Action Day for press freedom in Pakistan, on the first death anniversary of tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan, who was killed after having been kept in ‘captivity’ for six months. According to a press release of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), international media watchdogs have sent letters to the President of Pakistan, General Pervez Musharraf, calling for additional measures for the safety of journalists and unconditional withdrawal of the controversial amendments to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Ordinance. The PFUJ paid rich tribute to Hayatullah Khan and said he had been abducted, tortured and killed while performing his professional duty. It criticised the government for not making public the report of inquiry into the kidnapping and murder of Hayatullah Khan conducted by a Peshawar High Court Judge. It demanded arrest of the killers of Hayatullah, Munir Sangi, Maqbool Sial, Ismail Khan and Noor Hakim and withdrawal of cases registered against dozens of journalists with mala fide intent.
(Aaj-8)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/16/nat5.htm |
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Journalists protest at PA |
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Journalists held a protest demonstration on the stairs of the Sindh Assembly building on Friday and handed in a memorandum to the Sindh Chief Minister, the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly and the leader of the opposition. They expressed deep concern over the increasing threats to journalists, non-implementation of 7th Wage Award and laws aimed to curb freedom of the press. They also staged a token walkout to register their protest. The protest was organized by the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) on the occasion of the Global Action Day declared by the International Federation of Journalists, and first anniversary of when the body of NWFP journalist Hayatullah Khan was found dumped with bullet wounds in North Waziristan. Journalists chanted slogans against coercive measures and increasing dangers faced by journalists in Pakistan and the growing restraints on the functioning of the media in the country. They also deplored the failure of the government in apprehending the real culprit of journalist Munir Sangi’s murder and registration of sedition cases against Mukesh Rupeta and Sanjay Kumar. KUJ president and PFUJ secretary general addressed the protest gathering and drew attention to the mounting threats to journalists.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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Journalists hold protest against media curbs |
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“Journalists held a protest rally on the stairs of Sindh Assembly on Friday and handed in a memorandum to the Sindh chief minister, speaker of the Sindh Assembly and leader of the opposition, expressing deep concerns over the increasing threats to journalists, non-implementation of seventh Wage Award and laws aimed to curb freedom of the press.”
(News-5)
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/16/nationalnews12.php |
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Delay in arrest of Hayatullah’s killers condemned |
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The France based Reporters Without Borders condemns the Pakistani government’s refusal despite the existence of reports from three investigations to go after those responsible for murder of Tribal journalist whose body was found exactly one year ago on June 16, 2006.
(Nation-20)
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Family of slain journalist seeks help for educating his kids |
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The family of slain tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan Dawar is still awaiting justice and probe into his murder despite passage of one year since his murder on june 15 last year. Interviews with his family members revealed that no govt official contacted them since the body was found. “we are no longer interested in the inquiry or revenge but want his children get education. Our only demand from govt is to help us in educating his four children,” said his brother Ehsanullah,23.
(News-4)
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The law is not a football by Javed Jabbar |
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“If the law is being treated like a football, Pemra is also being shunted like a powerless empty train bogey instead of being an autonomous engine of regulation. Pemra began in 2002 by being placed under the information ministry. Then it was moved to the cabinet division in 2005 and has now been moved back to the information ministry. The government seems to be quite confused not only about how to make laws and what laws to make as well as about where to place the relevant enforcement body. Wherever it is placed, Pemra plays its own legal football. The approach to law is incoherent and inconsistent. Daily blatant examples of piracy of Hollywood films and Indian films by Pemra-licensed cable TV operators and violations of intellectual property rights by even a stock exchange-listed cable TV distributor are completely ignored. Such disregard for the law by Pemra encourages others to break the law and to treat the law as a private plaything.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/16/ed.htm#3 |
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Regulatory misadventures by Babar Sattar |
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“PEMRA is not a federal government department that can be transferred from the control of the Establishment Division to the Information Division. It is meant to be an autonomous body that functions independent of the government. The federal government can issue instructions to PEMRA, but only on policy issues. And no one -- neither the general nor the PM -- has any authority to suspend the law, unless it is repealed or amended in accordance with constitutional procedure.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=9 |
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Letter to Editor “Responsibility of Media” |
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Misbah Azam, “I think it is time our leadership (and the self-imposed leaders) realised that people of Pakistan are not naive and they understand why suddenly the government started shedding tears on the ‘bad conduct’ of the media and why all the time the government leaders keep on lecturing about how private channels should behave.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/06/16/letted.htm#1 |
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Letter to editor, “Gagging the media” |
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khalid I. Khan comments, “Lately, there has been a mushroom growth of the electronic media in the country. This has been mainly due to the liberal policy of President-General Musharraf in this regard. The electronic media was flourishing up till now but in the wake of the judicial crisis, the private TV channels resorted to giving extensive live coverage to events and developments concerning the CJ case. In the process, they also faltered here and there, eyebrows were raised and ultimately the authorities were forced to take some steps to gag the media. The live coverage of politics has, thus, been banned. Frankly speaking, such prohibitory measures against the electronic media tantamount to the negation of the previous policy, the proverbial taking of a u-turn. While urging the President to continue with his liberal policies in this regard, it would not be out of place to request the private TV channels bosses also to evolve a code of ethics drawing a line between the dos and don’ts for themselves.”
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/jun-2007/16/letters3.php |
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Media Miscellaneous
Father not allowed to speak against Khyber journalist |
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Peshawar Press Club management on Friday barred a tribal journalist’s father from addressing a press conference against hiss son Nasarullah Afridi. The press club management suspected the father of acting on the directives of Khyber Agency-based religious group Lashkar-e-Islami and refused to host an event against the journalist. Nasarullah Afridi, a correspondent for a Peshawar-based Urdu newspaper, fled from his home in Khyber Agency a year ago after death threats from Lashkar-e-Islami. The group said Nasrullah’s reports were biased and supported their rival group Ansarul Islam. Nasrullah Afridi told Daily Times that Lashkar-e-Islami pressured his father and family to stop him from reporting in Khyber Agency. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\16\story_16-6-2007_pg7_24 |
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PBA plans voluntary Code of Conduct |
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The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) plans to adopt a voluntary Code of Conduct, issue guidelines for broadcasters and propose amendment in the Pemra Ordinance 2002 to conform to democratic norms, said PBA Secretary General Arshad A Zubari. A press release issued by the PBA on Friday says that the first draft proposal adopted by its Board of Directors has been sent to the government and the legal advisers. We want deletion of clauses in the Pemra Ordinance 2002 which do not conform to democratic norms and put fetters on broadcasters. “Our members have binding commitment to principles of self-regulation and a system which does not prevent airing of issue in the public interest. PBA is therefore suggesting a mechanism of check and balance in consensus with all concerned, the press release concludes.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Govt to repeal amended PEMRA Ordinance soon |
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The government will soon repeal the amended PEMRA Ordinance and a new code of conduct will be issued after consultation with journalists, Federal Minister for Information Muhammad Ali Durrani said on Friday. He expressed these views while talking to journalists at their protest camp set up outside Parliament House. He asked the journalists to decide a time frame for a meeting with the president, PM and Chaudhry Shujaat Hussain to resolve all issues through mutual consultation. He told journalists that freedom of expression was the top priority of the government, adding that the government did not want to impose restrictions on the media. He said the government would soon announce free medical facilities for journalists. The wage award issue can be solved jointly, he added. Talking about the judicial report of journalist Hayat Ullah’s murder, the minister said the report had been received and it was a terrible incident. He said the report would soon be shared with the press. Regarding the death of a journalist in a blast in the tribal areas, Durrani said the prime minister had announced compensation for the victims. About the threats to some journalists in Karachi, he said the provincial government was investigating the matter, while the federal government was also involved in the probe. Meanwhile, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Huma Ali presented three letters addressed to the president, the prime minister and the minister for information about safeguarding the freedom of press. Earlier, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) on the occasion of Global Action Day set up protest camp to show solidarity with the Pakistani journalists. Several journalists from Rawalpindi and Islamabad attended the camp.
(Express-8) (Aaj-1)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\06\16\story_16-6-2007_pg7_23 |
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Government, media urged to focus on women’s health issues |
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The Pakistan government should focus on improving health infrastructure, increasing the number of trained health workers and educating girls, said Yuko Arimori, UNFPA's goodwill ambassador in Japan, who concluded her week-long visit to Pakistan here at a local hotel.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_CityNews.aspx?dtlid=102554&catid=3&date=06/16/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Music
Music shop bombed |
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A bomb explosion in Badaber village near Peshawar city Friday night damaged a music shop and caused injuries to two persons. Police sources and villagers said the explosion targeted the shop selling music CDs and videocassettes near Spin Jamaat in Balokhel Kanday in Badaber. They said the shop was badly damaged. The explosion occurred at 10.15pm. Two villagers, Abid and Jamil, were injured in the explosion.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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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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