Saturday November 18, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

FM 103 plea to re-broadcast news dismissed

The LHC has dismissed a petition by a private radio channel FM 103 against the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra)'s directive of restraining the channel from broadcasting news bulletins of the BBC Urdu Service. Muhammad Imran and others through Raza Kazim submitted that they were re-broadcasting BBC Urdu programmes on FM 103. The counsel said the Pemra had issued notice to the channel to stop re-broadcasting bulletins of the BBC Urdu service over its network by April 2, 2005, failing which, its licences for Karachi, Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan should stand cancelled.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_CityNews.aspx?dtlid=68958&
catid=3&date=11/18/2006&fcatid=14

Journalist's death: Pims doctor suspended

Administration of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (Pims) has suspended a doctor on the charges of negligence and ordered an inquiry into the death of journalist Mohammad Miskeen. According to a statement issued here on Friday, Pims Executive Director Dr Fazle Hadi said that the accused doctor at the Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) has been suspended for a detailed inquiry, the result of which would be made public within a week.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/18/nat14.htm

SAFMA launches ‘ South Asia Policy Analysis' book series

Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool has said that Pakistan was “cautiously committed” to improve ties with India . He was the chief guest on a ceremony to launch of series of South Asia Policy Analysis books by the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) at Avari Hotel on Friday. The 14-volume series contains findings by South Asian scholars and research published in the quarterly South Asian Journal of SAFMA. “Peace in the region is vital and our ultimate priority,” the governor said, “but we need to be very cautious because we have a history of mistrust.”

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\18\story_18-
11-2006_pg7_34

Safma launches Sapana

The South Asian Free Media Association (Safma) launched 14 volumes of a book titled 'South Asian Policy Analysis Network' (Sapana) Friday at a local hotel. Punjab Governor Lieutenant General (r) Khalid Maqbool was the chief guest whereas general secretary Safma Imtiaz Alam, Munno Bhai, Dr. Mubarik Ali Former Foreign Minister Sartaj Aziz and Ejaz Haider were also present on the occasion.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_CityNews.aspx?dtlid=68963&
catid=3&date=11/18/2006&fcatid=14

Press hails new rape law

The Pakistani press welcomes the approval by parliament of a government bill amending the country's strict Islamic law on rape and adultery but also wonders what impact it will have on the political landscape. Many papers say the passage of the Women's Protection Bill is significant, with one describing it as "important and welcome".

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/south_asia/6157922.stm

PNCA to launch playwriting course, competition

The Pakistan National Council of the Arts (PNCA) has finalised its plan aiming at the development of quality theatre in the country. Besides other features it also includes 9-month playwriting course and competition for talented playwrights.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=68923&
catid=17&date=11/18/2006&fcatid=14

Cinema sealed for showing porno film

Town police have booked nine persons including owner of a cinema for running and watching a porno film here Thursday night. Heavy contingent of police, led by TPO Mirpurkhas Dhani Bux Mari carried out a raid at the Palace Cinema here and sealed it after arresting eight persons. The owner Haji Muhammed Younus managed to escape from the spot. The police also recovered a porno film.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=68862&
catid=2&date=11/18/2006&fcatid=14

Mass communication results announced

The University of Karachi has announced the final result of MA Mass Communication (Evening Programme). Romina Nousheen and Mohammad Iqbal bagged first and second positions respectively. The names of successful candidates are as follows: Ayesha Fazal, Babar Khan, Farhan Munaf, Iqbal Khursheed, Iqtidar Anwar, Kamran Hyder, Kanwal Nosheen, Lubna, Madiha Hassan, Mirza Zaheer Abbas, Muhammad Asim, Muhammad Naseer, Sadia Inam, Syed Zahid Imam, Adeel Akhter Khan, M Afzal Farooqui, Syed Nasir Jamal, Wasif Shakil, Muhammad Haris, A Karim Hashim Ansari, Ishrat Ahsan, S Umer Ahmed Hashmi and Asima Moin secured first division, and Syed Waqasullah, Khalida Haqqi and S Usman Ahmed Hashmi passed the examination with second division.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/18/local21.htm

TV closed by Agencies

http://www.bbc.co.uk/urdu/pakistan/story/2006/11/061114_
sindh_tv.shtml

FM LISTENING: Give us a smile

On this planet earth people have forgotten smile. When we look around we mostly see people with disconsolate faces that appear to be devoid of all the frivolities that depict life. Life is getting faster day-by-day and to budge along it, one often needs to put aside all types of amusement and find ways to enable his survival in this cruel world. Every office you go to you find seriousness etched on the boss's face while anxiety covering the employee's faces. Most of the places you visit you are greeted with sullen looks and discourteous attitudes. Whereas on roads we see drivers with furious look on their faces and this best reflected through intermingling of honking horns.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=68917&catid=
17&date=11/18/2006&fcatid=14

LETTERS TO EDITOR

Cable TV in jails

The situation in jails is really bad, which must be revised. To start with, prisoners should be kept mentally engaged, so that they discuss topics other than crime. The best solution is installation of a cable television service. Instead of sharing their views on robberies, etc, they might start discussing a movie or a song.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_LetNews.aspx?dtlid=68888&
catid=4&date=11/18/2006&fcatid=14

COMPILED by: Sajid Gondal, Media Monitor, Internews Pakistan (www.internews.org.pk)

DISCLAIMER: The contents, including news and headlines, in this newsletter are reproduced from their respective publications ad verbatim as a public service. Internews does not author the contents and these, therefore, do not necessarily reflect organizational policy.