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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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SC can’t become public meeting place: ACJ |
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Acting Chief Justice Mr.Justice JAved Iqbal Saturday said “If the media keeps showing a fifteen-second clip of stone pelting 15 times a day, the impact will not be good,” he said. He urged lawyers to “maintain the sanctity of the Constitution and Supreme Court” and “keep the dignity of the judiciary”. Lawyers should protest in a “peaceful and dignified” matter, he said, adding they should also not chant slogans.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\18\story_18-3-2007_pg7_13 |
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Don’t exaggerate, ACJ tells media |
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Acting Chief Justice Mr.Justice JAved Iqbal Saturday said media should not exaggerate the developments regarding the refrence filed against chief justice and avoid repeatedly broadcasting the footage of clashes between people and police.
(Nation-12)
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Law minister apologizes to journalist |
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Federal Law Minister Wasi Zafar on Saturday formally tendered an apology to Ansar Abbasi, Editor Investigations of The News, for using abusive language against him in a live Voice of America (VoA) programme. “I had no intention to speak against Ansar. However, if my behavior has hurt Ansar Sahib, I apologise, and he is my brother,” the minister said in a recorded message telecast by Geo News. Zafar also spoke to The News’ Investigations editor to say that he regretted what had happened. The minister told Geo News that he offers a hand of friendship to Abbasi, who, he insisted, would enjoy his (law minister’s) friendship. He also invited the journalist to dinner.
(Jang-8)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Police thrash journalists |
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About 250 journalists staged a protest outside the LHC after they were beaten up by police when they were trying to cover a lawyers’ convention at the LHCBA on Saturday. Police thrashed Daily Times reporter Rana Tanveer, snatched his press card and ordered him to run away. Police also snatched the camera and cell phone of photographer Taqveem-e-Millat Shah. They beat up Royal TV cameraman Rana Shahzad and snatched his camera and recorded material. Geo TV reporter Mudasher Butt and cameraman Mohammad Afaq were also injured by the police.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\18\story_18-3-2007_pg1_4 |
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Police mount brutality in Lahore |
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Two journalists | 100 lawyers held, as many injured
Two journalists, one cameraman of a TV channel and one reporter of a newspaper were also beaten up by the police during this operation. Their cameras were broken, reels snatched.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_Fb_ShortNews.aspx?fbshortid=1736&fcatid=14&date=03/18/2007&bcatid=14&bstatus=archive |
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FIR registered on Geo’s complaint |
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Kohsar Police registered an FIR on the written complaint of the Geo team late in connection with attacking Geo News office and manhandling the Geo journalists and employees here Friday night.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=87877&catid=17&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Attack on Geo, judicial commission probe |
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Government has appointed Additional Session Judge Manzoor Mirza to probe the police attack on Geo. He has initiated judicial probe of the incident. He has started collecting evidences and proofs about the incident.
(Jang-8)
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Attacker arrested |
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Secret agencies on Saturday detained a police official who reportedly led the Punjab police team in ransacking the offices of The News and Geo TV, reliable sources told The News. Farrukh Ayub, an official of the Islamabad police, has been detained at the police headquarters. The accused while serving in the diplomatic protection division was deputed outside the Supreme Court building on Friday. During investigations, it was revealed that the Punjab police force, sent to Islamabad on requisition to maintain law and order during the protest demonstration staged by the lawyers and political activists, were under-training recruits commanded by him.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Govt suspends 14 policemen for raid on TV station |
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Pakistan government has suspended 14 policemen for ransacking a private television station office during opposition protests over the sacking of the country's top judge, officials said Saturday (today). The government has suspended 14 police officers for the incident at a TV office and has also ordered a judicial inquiry into the incident," Islamabad police Chief Iftikhar Ahmed Ch said. The action came after Gen Pervez Musharraf publicly apologised for the raid in Islamabad Friday by police. The government also ordered a judicial inquiry into the assault widely condemned at home and abroad.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/18/latest.php |
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International media watchdog calls for probe |
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Reporters without Borders, a Paris-based international non-governmental organisation that advocates for freedom of the press, has expressed outrage over the police storming of the offices of Geo Television, and urged the authorities to lift the ban on one of its popular programmes. Reporters Without Borders is outraged at the way Pakistani police stormed the offices of Geo TV in Islamabad Friday, hitting journalists and damaging installations in order to cut short live coverage of protests against “the dismissal of the supreme court president”, a message from Paris received here said.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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RSF outraged by attack on Geo TV’s office |
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Global media rights organization Reporters without Borders (Reporters Sans Frontiers) said on Saturday that it had been outraged by the manners in which Punjab police stromed Geo Tv’s office in Islamabad. Organization has asked for investigation.
(Dailytimes-A2)
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Police attack on Geo office echoes in State Department |
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The unprecedented attack on The News and Geo television offices echoed on different television channels abroad besides the US State Department briefing within no time after its occurrence. A questioner drew the State Department spokesman Sean McCormack's attention towards the incident and he made a reference to the statement given by President Pervez Musharraf. Referring to the spokesman's statement that a free press is important to a developing democracy and that Musharraf is serving the interests of the Pakistani people, he asked how do those things go together when you've got evidence of them moving against the media to keep them from reporting on this?
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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PM visits The News, Geo offices |
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Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Saturday visited the offices of The News and Geo TV and strongly condemned Friday’s attack on a building of the country’s biggest media group and pledged that those involved in the incident would be taken to task. Condemning the police raid, he said, “A judicial inquiry has already been ordered into the unfortunate incident.” He said investigators have found some leads and assured that “justice will be done and strict action taken against those found responsible once the inquiry is completed”.
(Jang-8)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Attack on Geo TV | PM for strict action against culprits |
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Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday warned of strict action against those involved in an attack on Geo television's offices, reiterating that the government will continue supporting press freedom in the country.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=5126&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Govt to protect freedom of expression: PM |
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Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz Saturday reiterated his government’s policy of protecting freedom of expression, adding media independence would be ensured at all costs
He said this during his visit to GEO television office that was attacked by “Police mob.” He said strict action would be taken against those involved in damaging the office building on Friday.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/18/nationalnews2.php |
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Geo attack culprits will be punished: Aziz |
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Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Saturday that stern action would be taken against those involved in an attack on Geo TV’s office in Islamabad, as the government would continue supporting the freedom of the press. “We will get to the bottom of the matter, and I am sure that this would tell the people of the truth,” he said during a visit to Geo TV’s office here along with Federal Information Minister Muhammad Ali Durrani and State Information Minister Tariq Azeem.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\18\story_18-3-2007_pg1_2 |
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PM promises action against attackers |
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Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said that the government will take strict action against those involved in causing damage to the Geo TV channel office in Islamabad on Friday. The prime minister held out the assurance during a visit to the offices of the TV channel and The News here on Friday, where he saw the damage.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/18/top17.htm |
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Ex-colonel to surrender medals in protest |
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In protest against the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Muhammad Chaudhry and the police attack on Geo TV offices in Islamabad, a retired colonel has announced he will surrender his medals awarded to him in recognition of his 27 years’ service. Col Anwar Afridi (retd), who is also a lawyer and president People’s Lawyers Forum, Jhelum, talking to reporters during a protest on Saturday, said he would never use the word of colonel with his name in the future.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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Writers, intellectuals condemn attack on The News, Geo offices |
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Writers and intellectuals from all the four provinces vehemently condemned the brazen attack on the offices of daily 'The News' and Geo by Punjab Police Friday terming it a vicious conspiracy of the anti-state elements. The attack was condemned through a resolution passed in a reference arranged under the auspices of Pakistan Intellectual Forum, Islamabad, here at the Intellect House Saturday.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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Attack on the News, Geo offices termed attempt to gag media |
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Rallies and demonstrations were staged across the province here on Saturday, condemning the police attack on the offices of Geo TV and The News in Islamabad as an attack on the entire print and electronic media of the country. Various political parties, civil society groups, journalists and lawyers staged rallies to condemn the attack and demanded arrest of the culprits. Journalists, wearing black bands around their arms and faces and carrying black flags and placards, marched from the Hyderabad press club to SP Chowk, where they staged a sit-in after a general body meeting of the club.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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Ministers, NA speaker slam attack on Geo TV |
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Foreign Minister Khurshid Mehmud Kasuri, expressing regret over police raid on Geo office on Friday, said under no circumstances it could serve the cause of the government. Talking to a private television channel he said, the credit goes to the present government that it has allowed establishment of private television and radio channels in the country, adding the press is functioning free in the country.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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Police attack on Geo office hot topic in twin cities |
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Shabbir Ahmed Mir reports normalcy returned to the capital Saturday following yesterday's (Friday) clashes between the protestors and the law enforcing agencies but the attack on the Geo TV Islamabad remained hot topic among the residents in twin cities. Whatever happened yesterday with the Geo and its staff is condemnable, said a schoolteacher in I-10 Markaz. The government must ensure that such acts are not repeated in future and that proper security measures for journalists are guaranteed, he added.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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Journalists slam attack on media offices |
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Journalists in large numbers took part in a demonstration on Saturday which was held to protest against an attack by policemen on a news organisation on Friday. The demonstration was organised by the Khyber Union of Journalists to denounce what was termed ‘state-sponsored terrorism unleashed against the country’s print and electronic media’.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/18/nat11.htm |
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Journalists condemn attack on TV office |
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Journalists and political and social activists brought out rallies across the province on Saturday against police attack on the offices of a private TV channel and an English daily in Islamabad. In Hyderabad, journalists staged a rally, which started from the local press club and got back to its starting point where the protesters formed human chain after staging a sit-in at DPO office roundabout.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/18/nat14.htm |
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Protest against police attack on TV channel |
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Scores of journalists hailing from Nankana Sahib and Sheikhupura districts took out a protest rally here on Saturday. They were carrying placards and banners inscribed with anti-government slogans to express solidarity with the journalists of Islamabad. Addressing at the local press club, speakers said assault on a private TV channel in Islamabad had exposed the government’s claim of freedom of press. They said the government wanted to cover up its wrongdoings by attacking the media.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/18/nat45.htm |
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Journalists, AF slate raid on Geo |
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The Khyber union of journalist Saturday staged a protest demonstration against outrageous ssualt by the police on Geo Tv office in Islamabad and called on government to give punishment to culprits.
(Post-A5) (Nation-20)
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PHCBA condemns violence against lawyers, media |
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Lawyer community while continuing their protest against the suspension of Chief Justice Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudry Saturday boycotted court proceedings and organised a rally to condemn the violence against lawyers and mediamen in Islamabad.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=87881&catid=2&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Journalists rally against police highhandedness |
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Hundreds of journalists from the print and electronic media took out a protest rally from Lahore Press Club to the Punjab Assembly building on Saturday against police's attack on a private TV channel in Islamabad and the baton-charge on reporters and lawyers.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-5)
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_ShortNews.aspx?shortid=3401&catid=3&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Majeed Nazami asks for probe |
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Editor Nawa-i-Waqt Majeed Nazami demands probe against police attack on Geo TV. It is not acceptable for the press. Media should be satisfied through fair probe. Session judge should be appointed for probe.
(Nawa-i-Waqt-8)
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Arifwala journalists’ rally for upholding press freedom |
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Hundreds of lawyers, political activists and traders Saturday joined Tehsil Arifwala journalists as they took out a protest rally against the police attack on a private TV channel's office in Islamabad. The rally, which was organised by journalists of Tehsil Arifwala and neighbouring Qabula town, started at the municipal chowk and terminated at the Jinnah Chowk after passing through all major bazaars.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=87907&catid=2&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Journalists protest police vandalism |
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The Punjab Union of Journalists (PUJ) and the Lahore Press Club (LPC) on Saturday took out a protest rally to condemn the vandalism of Geo offices in Islamabad.
(Jang-3)
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\18\story_18-3-2007_pg13_4 |
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PFUJ concerned over treatment to journalists |
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Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) is deeply concerned and shocked over treatment of journalists across the country on the hands of state machinery. The last couple of weeks have seen an unprecedented rise in violence against on-the-job-journalists, says a press release issued here on Saturday. Especially, the events of March 13 and 16, 2007 in Islamabad and Rawalpindi are of special mention here where not only journalists were brazenly brutalized but were blatantly stopped from performing their professional duties in and around the Supreme Court and in Islamabad and Rawalpindi courts.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/18/nationalnews6.php |
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PFUJ calls for judicial probe |
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The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has called for the formation of an independent judicial commission headed by a judge of the High Court to investigate the attack on GEO TV’s Islamabad offices. In a joint statement on Saturday, Huma Ali, President of PFUJ, and Secretary-General Mazhar Abbas, said the commission should include one member each from the Pakistan Bar Council and the media.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/18/top18.htm |
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APNS slams police assault on TV channel |
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The APNS has strongly condemned the heinous acts of Police assault on the media and rejected all efforts to silence the press, stated a press release of the society.
Kazi Asad Abid, Secretary General of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society has stated that the APNS at its meeting held today under the chairmanship of its acting President, Inquilab Matri has decided to form a Joint Action Committee of the APNS, CPNE and PBA to take suitable actions to ensure freedom of Press in the country as enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
(Jang-8)
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/mar-2007/18/nationalnews8.php |
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The Post Editorial “Attack on the media” |
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With the attack on the offices of Geo, the war has now, besides the judiciary, extended to the media. This is a sorry state for the present government since Geo TV shall now get international exposure which was not forthcoming before.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_OpinionNews.aspx?dtlid=87840&catid=11&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Don’t spit in to the wind |
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The News columnist Ayesha T Haq says “After the attack on the office of GEO and The News in Islamabad official condemnation and apologies were quick to come. Assurances have been given that those responsible will be taken to task.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=9 |
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Dawn editorial Black Friday |
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The attacks on the offices of Jang and Geo by the police in Islamabad on Friday have hit world headlines. Not that Pakistan has ever had much difficulty in making it to the front pages, mostly for the wrong reasons. But on Friday it was a different kind of news, with millions of TV viewers worldwide watching in disbelief as the police stormed the offices of the newspaper and its affiliated TV channel. No law seemed to have existed during those terrible moments when the riot police went berserk, smashing windowpanes and manhandling the staff.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/03/18/ed.htm#1 |
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Jang editorial on attack on Geo |
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Jang editorial says “incident is test for good governance.”
(Jang-Editorial)
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The News Editorial “Dealing with dissent” |
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The best way forward for the government would be to allow peaceful forms of protest. As it has already said, the matter is now before the SJC and the directives of this body should be followed. One of them relates to the coverage of the SJC's proceedings and of the hearing of the reference. Here, as directed by the SJC print and electronic media have reported only the press release detailing Friday's proceedings. The government, and especially the electronic media regulator PEMRA, should not seek to unnecessarily extend this directive, as has been done so far, to order newspapers and TV channels not to cover the events and incidents arising out of Justice Iftikhar's suspension and to desist from giving him any coverage.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=8 |
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Aaj editorial on attack on Geo |
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Daily Aaj editorial condemns the incident and asks government to ensure security for media community.
(Aaj-Editorial)
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Aaj Columnist asks to build trust |
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Aaj columnist Younis Qiasi says there is urgent need of trust between government and media.
(Aaj-Editorial)
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Nawa-i-Waqt editorial |
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Nawa-i-Waqt editorial condemns attack on media. It is government duty o ensure security but failed to fulfill obligation.
(Nawa-i-Waqt- Editorial)
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Crisis Management by Farouq Fasial |
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The Express Editor Farooq Fasial in his article condemns attack against media and asks for a crisis management to stop abuses.
(Express-9)
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Over the top by Masood Hasan |
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The News columnist says “Not to be outdone in such interesting times, the next 'Proud to be a Pakistani' was none other than 'Slapper' Wasi, a man who delivers the finest slaps at a moment's notice. While it wouldn't be a bad idea to name a mental sanatorium in his honour in his native Jaranwala -- the bar council has cancelled his license so even Jaranwala has a conscience, Slapper, the Minister for the Lawless and the Disorderly said in a radio interview, that he has a very long arm and gave very graphic accounts of this part of the human anatomy and to what interesting ends it could be put.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=9 |
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Immoderate and unenlightened by Ghazi Salahuddin |
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The news columnist says “At the other end of this ministerial masquerade is Law Minister Wasi Zafar and his remarks in a VOA roundtable, expletives not expurgated because it was live, may survive as a footnote in the history of the present crisis. For some reason, his apology on Friday night was also nauseating.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=9 |
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Letter to editor “Kamran Khan’s tears” |
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Dr. Ghayur Ayub, London, UK says “While the police was busy destroying GEO’s office in Islamabad, which was unfolding live coverage of events, I saw otherwise calm Kamran Khan getting emotional as Hamid Mir went on detailing the police brutality. He was trying unsuccessfully to control his tears. He had to discontinue live coverage to have a good cry.” A series of other letters also condemn attack on media.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_LetNews.aspx?dtlid=87845&catid=4&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Letter to editor “attack on Media” |
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Wide condemnation through a series of letter on “attack on media”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=11 |
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Electronic media damaging Urdu |
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Participants of the impact of media on Urdu in Pakistan forum said that electronic media was damaging Urdu language. The discussion panel included Dr.Shabih and Shujjat Hashmi. Forum was organized by Quaid I Azam library Lahore.
(Dailytimes-B3)
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Ahmed Ali Khan remembered |
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“We pay tribute to the courage and intellect of (the late) Ahmed Ali Khan who was an icon and the best example of the honest journalist fighting for freedom of the press.”
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=87875&catid=17&date=03/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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PTV academy promoting quality of programs |
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Senator Tariq Azeem State Minister for Information and Broadcast has appreciated the role of PTV Academy for promotion of quality of programs. MD Ashraf Azeem informed that PTV academy is providing training facility to PTV and 45 other private channels as well as foreign media teams. State Minister was chief guest of prize distribution ceremony in PTV academy.
(Khabrian-3) (Express-2)
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Attempt to kill reporter |
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In police station Hashatnagri’s area of Peshawar, a reporter of national daily injured seriously in an attack by some unknown assailant. Motorbike was also damaged badly. Police has filed the case. Imarn Ali son of Abur Rasheed is reporter of a Rawalpindi based national daily. On GT road, an unknown car hit his motorbike in which he got serious injuries.
(Aaj-2)
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Portable cell phone numbers from 23rd |
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The cellular service providers in Pakistan will launch the Mobile Number Portability (MNP) service on March 23 (the Pakistan Day). A Pakistan Telecom Authority (PTA) official said the PTA had been asking the cellular service providers since 2005 to start the MNP service that was available in 37 countries.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\03\18\story_18-3-2007_pg7_5 |
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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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