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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Attack on Media
Intimidation
Hayatullah's widow killed in bomb blast |
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The Nation slain staffer's widow killed in blast
The widow of tribal journalist Hayatullah Khan was killed on Saturday in a bomb blast at her home in North Waziristan, while her children were unhurt, the family said. “A bomb went off close to a boundary wall of her room killing her instantly,” Ehsanullah Khan, brother of late Hayatullah Khan, told Daily Times. “She was sleeping on the ground in her room and the five children were in another room when the bomb planted right next to the boundary wall of her room went off,” he said. The incident took place at around 3am on Saturday in Hurmuz village, according to the family. Ehsanullah told the BBC that the people who had killed Hayatullah were “responsible for the Saturday incident.”
Daily Times,
Nation |
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Abduction
Editor daily ‘Tulou” abducted by agencies |
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Security agencies personnel allegedly kidnapped editor Tulou Lahore Islamabad Shoib Bhutta from his office Saturday night. Bhutta was in his office at G-7/1 located near Press Information Office, when security personnel came here at 9:00 p.m. Later security agencies stormed into office and took out for some inquiry. He was pushed to car bearing registration no RIL 4411 and took him to unidentified location.
(Nation-12)
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Arrests
Five arrested as journalists protest closure of TV channels |
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Five Geo TV journalists were arrested for protesting in Quetta on Saturday, as journalists throughout the country condemned the government’s orders to shut down Geo News and ARY. Geo TV’s Quetta bureau confirmed the arrests of their journalists, adding that they were not aware of the staffers’ whereabouts. Meanwhile, another journalist was badly beaten when he was exiting his newspaper office. Similarly, staff members of Geo and ARY in Karachi also protested the closure. ‘Worst communication blackout’: According to a press release issued by ARY, the closure of its international broadcast was the “worst communication blackout” in Pakistan’s history. Over 400 journalists in Islamabad warned the government that they could go to any lengths to get their due rights. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\18\story_18-11-2007_pg7_2 |
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Media Protest
Countrywide protests against Geo closure |
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Journalists, lawyers, political workers and civil society activists on Saturday staged protest demonstrations against curbs on the media especially shutting down of Geo News and ARY OneWorld in all major cities and towns of the country. Responding to a call, given by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist (PFUJ) and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ), hundreds of protestors, belonging to all walks of life, participated in the demonstrations against the government for shutting down the transmission of private TV channels, outside the offices of Geo TV, Islamabad. Speakers termed the closure of Geo TV and another channel as the economic murder of hundreds of journalists and other staff. Hamid Mir said the state security agencies were coercing the media men through various tactics. On the other hand, the government was pressurising the independent media with the help of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and Pemra. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Reporters Without Borders urges Dubai to lift ban on Pak channels |
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The Reporters Without Borders has urged the Dubai government to reverse its decision, taken under pressure from Musharraf, to suspend broadcasting of two Pakistani TV stations. Reporters Without Borders said it was shocked by the complete interruption in Dubai of the broadcasts of Pakistani TV channel Geo News and another private channel, which have offices in Dubai. "Pressure by Gen. Musharraf, a notorious press freedom predator, on the Dubai authorities constitutes outrageous interference," Reporters Without Borders said. "Not content with silencing Geo TV and another private channel in Pakistan, he has gone so far as to get a foreign government to suspend the two stations. We urge the Emir of Dubai, in the name of press freedom and free enterprise, to rescind this decision at once. We also extend our support to the staff of the two stations," it said. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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APNS, CPNE demand restoration of channels |
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APNS, CPNE urge Musharraf to revise media policy
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) have noted with alarm the rapidly deteriorating environment of the freedom of expression and freedom of press in Pakistan as the 15th day of the emergency draws to a close. APNS President Hameed Haroon and CPNE President Syed Faseih Iqbal in a joint statement have stated that the single most important step that needs to be taken today by the government is the urgent restoration of all television news channels in Pakistan, “We believe it is essential to chalk an immediate way out of this major national crisis.”
(Nation-3) ,
The Post,
Dawn,
Daily Times |
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PBA condemns action |
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In an emergency meeting of the Board of Directors held in Karachi on Saturday, the Pakistan Broadcasters Association expressed its complete solidarity with its member channels ARY and Geo. In a press release issued here, the PBA condemned the Dubai Media City (DMC) for blocking transmissions of Pakistani channels and termed it unethical and against all business norms. They also expressed the view that this action belied tall claims of the DMC that it allowed broadcasters a free flow of information without any government interference. The PBA also set up a sub-committee to coordinate efforts with APNS and other media bodies to urge the government to impress upon the Dubai authorities to restore transmissions of ARY and Geo and refrain form such harsh measures against Pakistani companies. |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/nat4.htm |
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Journalists refuse to grin and bear it, Hold rally in front of Geo office building |
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If a reporter, cameraman or media person from the electronic or print media is targeted, President General Pervez Musharraf will be responsible for it, said senior journalist Hamid Mir Saturday during countrywide protests by the journalists against emergency rule and restrictions on the media.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_ShortNews.aspx?shortid=4867&catid=2&date=11/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Journalists Condemn closure of channels |
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Journalists held a protest meeting on Saturday to condemn the government for shutting down Geo and ARY news channels. A joint meeting of the district press club and district union of journalists was held in the press club with its president Mian Manzoor Naz in the chair.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/nat33.htm |
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You’ve got the guns, but we’ve got the numbers’ |
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The community of journalists across the city voiced their anger by staging rallies on Saturday that condemned the authorities for slapping bans, and imposing restrictions, on the press. They especially slated the closure of the internationally-viewed Geo News, which was shut down after tremendous pressure by the government. The protesting journalists organisations included the Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), members of the Karachi Press Club (KPC) and the Association of TV Journalists (ATJ), who took out a procession from the KPC under tight security, with Rangers, assisted by a large number of police personnel, deployed at both ends of the KPC.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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When other channels compromised,Geo took a stand... they have created history’ |
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Calling the ban on Geo an action against the freedom of expression of all Pakistanis, Sindh’s nationalist parties have presented their tribute to the Geo management who refused to bow before censorship. Ghinwa Bhutto, Chairperson Pakistan Peoples Party (Shaheed Bhutto), said that the action of the government against the media was a repetition of its mistake to curb the voice of the people. She said that these tactics would not affect the determination of the people to preserve their right to free speech. “We are very proud of Geo for resisting and not signing what the government had asked every one else to sign.” She said that, by resisting for their right of expression, Geo has become the number one channel for the Pakistani audience. “The media never disappears, it’s only dictators that go away,” she said, emphasising that this was the diktat of history
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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Huge protests against curbs on media |
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Condemning the government ban imposed on two private TV channels, the personnel of media organisations and members of civil society Friday held protest demonstrations in all major cities of the country including Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
The reports pouring into here said, the protest demonstrations were held in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Quetta and Peshawar where protesters were holding placards and shouting slogans against the Musharraf-led government.
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http://nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2007/18/index7.php |
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Terms decision to close Geo TV wrong |
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Pakistan Muslim League-Q Secretary-General Mushahid Hussain Syed on Saturday demanded of President Pervez Musharraf to lift emergency rule before the general elections. “The president should lift emergency rule before elections, otherwise, neither the elections can be held, nor anyone will accept the results,” Mushahid told a private TV channel. “I personally feel that it should be appropriate and internationally welcomed to lift the emergency before elections,” he said. “Emergency has a negative impact at home and abroad. Lifting emergency would create a positive atmosphere,” he said, adding his party did not need a state of emergency to win the polls.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Unionists slam Geo blackout |
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Trade unionists have condemned the government action to blackout Geo TV and said the action would encourage anarchy. They have demanded immediate restoration of Geo Channel as the TV channel has been providing genuine stories to the common man. They said the government tried to block the access of the common man to genuine information.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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People outraged, want Geo restored |
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“What has happened is ridiculous,” says Shakeel, who owns a shop in Saddar. “I was saddened initially to see that the news channels have been taken off air, but I had hopes that they would be restored soon.” The banning of two most important TV networks in Pakistan has not only come as a shock to people, it has also rudely jolted them out of their everyday lives.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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LUMS students, faculty protest Geo shutdown |
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Over 100 students and faculty members of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS) gathered on the varsity premises on Saturday evening to protest the closure of Geo TV and other news channels. The LUMS Students Movement, which organised several on-campus activities to protest against the suspension of the Constitution, had given a protest call on Saturday evening against the shutting down of Geo TV and ARY TV by the government.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=5 |
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Musharraf top among media gaggers |
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Intellectuals and rights activists have condemned the act of imposing ban on Geo TV saying Musharraf had beaten the previous dictators in curbing the media. They said banning TV channels won’t be solution to the problems, as it would only increase anger in the masses against the government, putting it into more difficulties. Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Chairperson Asma Jehangir told The News that curbs on Geo TV and other channels showed the military rulers have lost mental balance. She said dictatorship and freedom of expression cannot go hand in hand.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=5 |
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Ministers, bureaucrats annoyed at channel closure |
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Some members of provincial cabinet and the bureaucracy, silent spectators of the current developments, are annoyed with the government for shutting down Geo television which was a major source of keeping them updated.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=5 |
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Kasuri pained by Geo blockade |
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Former foreign minister and senior vice president of the erstwhile ruling Muslim League Mian Khurshid Mahmood Kasuri has said that he was greatly pained by the closure of Geo News. To a question by The News, he said that he felt pain all the more because the flourishing electronic and print media were one of the greatest achievements of President General Pervez Musharraf and the government he served for five years.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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PBC to observe Media Solidarity Day |
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Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) has announced that it would observe November 19, as solidarity day with the media across the county. The PCB has called upon the lawyers’ community across the country to hold functions in honour of journalists at the bar associations’ buildings and join them in their protest meetings and rallies. Vice Chairman PBC, Mirza Aziz Akbar Baig, said that the council wants the lawyers fraternity to stand firm, hand in hand, with their brethren in media in the cause for the independence of media.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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APNEC to observe Salvation Day tomorrow |
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Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (APNEC) will observe Salvation Day tomorrow (Monday) to mark the end of former prime minister Shaukat Aziz’s government, says a press release.
APNEC formulated its programme during the central meeting of the confederation on Saturday with Secretary General Dr Imran Farooq in the chair. Former secretary general, APNEC, Nasir Mahmood Chishti and other office-bearers of APNEC in their address criticized period of former Shaukat Aziz’s government during which journalists and workers of newspapers faced lots of hardships.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=6 |
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Jang blog on Geo Closure |
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http://blog.jang.com.pk/ |
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Geo is Shut Down. Please give your opinion. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/blog/ |
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The News Cartoon |
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Journalists protest shutdown |
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The journalist community on Saturday took to the streets against the Musharraf government for shutting down Geo TV network transmission besides closing down some other news channels. Hundreds of journalists held a protest demonstration outside the press club to denounce the government decision of suppressing the media to the extent of closing down the entire operation and transmission of some news channels, including Geo TV. The protesting journalists, wearing black armbands and raising slogans against the Musharraf government for muzzling the press, were also holding banners and placards, demanding constitutional freedoms of speech and expression.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=5 |
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The voice of the people has been silenced |
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FILMDOM and artists have strongly criticised the government for gagging media and shutting down Geo TV, calling it an act aimed at depriving the people of their right to access to information and a brutal violation of accepted norms. Talking to The News on Friday at Mian Yousaf Salahuddin’s Havaeli during the shooting of a TV serial, film star Mustafa Qureshi said: “Geo bund nahi hoa hai humari zaban bund kur di gay hai”. Qureshi, a radical and a progressive human and a legendary star of Pakistani cinema, said: “Geo was our voice...the voice of the people and truth. And now it has been silenced. Now we will get only one side of the story - the official version of things which is nothing more than blatant white lies.” He said all the stakeholders - intellectuals, artists, journalists and the civil society - should now join hands and launch a campaign against the gagging of media and closing down of ‘the voice of the people’. “Bol key lab azad hain tere, bol ke such zinda hai ab tak,” he recited a few lines from renowned poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz’s words.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=5 |
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Journalists protest new assault on media |
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Journalists on Saturday took out a procession from the Peshawar Press Club to denounce the latest assault on the electronic media, including the closure of some news TV channels. Carrying placards inscribed with slogans against the military rulers, the protesters marched up to The Mall. However, police stopped them from heading towards the Governor’s House. Speaking on the occasion, Khyber Union of Journalists general secretary Nasir Hussain condemned the fresh assault on the media.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/local23.htm |
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Karachi - Nov 17: Journalists and media workers protest against curbs on press freedom on Saturday.—PPI
Islamabad - Nov 17: Journalists and members of civil society organisations protest against the closure of Geo TV in Islamabad on Saturday.— Photo by Tanveer Shahzad |
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Journalists vow to ‘never give in’ |
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KhUJ protests against closure of TV channels
Journalists of twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad on Saturday urged the government to end curbs on media, warning that they could go to any extent to get their due rights. Over 400 newsmen gathered in front of a private TV channel and stressed the government to lift sanctions on specific channels. Members of civil society also joined the protestors to express solidarity with them. The journalists were holding placards inscribed with slogans, “End emergency,” “free the Press” and “restore constitution and judges.” The journalists chanted anti-government slogans and regretted that the government was adopting hardline strategy instead of extending its soft gesture to acknowledge their peaceful sit-in protests.
(Daily Times-B2) |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\18\story_18-11-2007_pg7_12 |
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Mushahid condemns closure of TV channels |
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PML leader Syed Mushahid Hussain has said He said the decision to shut down Geo and ARY was very wrong and demanded the president lift the restrictions placed on the media as soon as possible. He pointed out that freedom of expression had been a hallmark of Gen Musharraf and the PML’s government.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\18\story_18-11-2007_pg7_1 |
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The Post Cartoon |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_TCartoon.aspx?catid=10&date=11/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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The Post Editorial “Closure of TV channels” |
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“PEMRA has issued a code of conduct for the media and it was said only those channels would be allowed to operate which will follow these new rules. These channels were seen at some places through dish antennas and Internet but through technical experts, the government first tried to stop it on the Internet and then a ban was placed on the import of dish antenna and relevant equipment used for receiving direct satellite signals. There are reports that these private channels were asked to sign an undertaking. They were asked to submit all their programmes to government officials as no programme without clearance would be allowed to be aired. They were ordered to accept provisional licences and their earlier licences were cancelled. The media protested against this move and demanded that the government should review its decision of imposing these restrictions. It was virtually impossible to carry on transmission in the presence of the said ordinance. It is premature to say for how long these channels will have to keep their transmission suspended.” |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=129243&catid=10&date=11/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Dawn Editorial “An attack on Media” |
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“The journalist community has largely been united in its quest for freedom of speech. This must be commended. The government has shown no signs of restraint and it may target the print media next. This makes it important for all those associated with the media to come together and fight the draconian measures being placed upon it.”
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/ed.htm#1 |
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The News Editorial “Madness unending” |
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“These few days of adversity may seem long and arduous but the Pakistani media is not about to disappear permanently from the television screens. Financial losses are one thing but standing firm on principles and challenging the illegal authority of an autocrat is far more important. While no one can predict how long the tyranny will last, the axed news channels will ultimately come back with full force, honour and dignity. Nevertheless, these are critical times for the institution of the media in Pakistan and it has to survive this test -- and survive it will. This is important because the media is needed to play its due role, being the fourth estate in society and as a crucial facilitator of civil discourse. The general should know that the moment he and his regime are gone, all their actions -- which are already unconstitutional and a nullity in the eyes of the law -- will be reversed. The questions General Musharraf posed in the BBC interview will then have been answered. It would of course be better if the general proves himself otherwise by undoing the madness that he has unleashed. It is high time he ended this draconian reign of terror against his own people, the media and its institutions and stepped aside and let the democratic process take shape. He should do this while he can or else it may be too late for an honourable exit strategy.”
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=8 |
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Media Miscellaneous
UAE admits stopping Geo, ARY broadcast |
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The UAE government admitted on Saturday that it had stopped the broadcast of Geo and ARY television networks from Dubai in line with the “broad principles of the country’s foreign policy”, but refused to say as to what forced it to do so. A UAE embassy handout carrying short policy statements of its government and the Dubai Media City, however, said discussions with the managements of the two television networks were underway to resolve the matter. The UAE government statement said: “The United Arab Emirates has always played a positive and constructive role in international affairs, and neutrality has been a key principle of its foreign policy. As such the UAE has always been an advocate of international law and an active contributor to peace and stability in the region. In light of the current sensitive state of affairs in Pakistan, the UAE can only assume its responsibility and maintain its neutrality.” |
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/top18.htm |
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Dubai may allow Pak TV channels to resume broadcasting |
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Dubai reviewing decision on channels
Dubai could allow Pakistan TV channels to resume broadcasts
Media authorities in Dubai said on Saturday they were considering whether to allow two leading private Pakistani news channels to resume broadcasting after shutting them down the day before.
(Nation-1)
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/top8.htm |
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UAE in talks with closed channels |
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The Dubai Media City is in discussion with the Geo News and ARY One channels regarding the broadcast of their news components and is confident that the matter will be resolved in the best possible way to protect the channels’ interests and those of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) government, said a press release issued by the UAE embassy in Pakistan on Saturday. The release was issued by the UAE Embassy after the broadcast of the both the channels operating from Dubai Media City went off air on Friday night.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\18\story_18-11-2007_pg7_4 |
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Govt believes in freedom of responsible media: Soomro |
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Caretaker Prime Minister Muhammadmian Soomro said on Saturday that challenges of misperception within and outside the country needed to be addressed at the earliest and the media focus should be turned to improving the political atmosphere leading up to the forthcoming general elections. Chairing a high-level meeting to review the media-related issues and the role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Soomro said the government believed in the freedom of a responsible media and would take all necessary measures to ensure conditions conducive for the smooth functioning of the media. “Media has an important role to play in dissemination of information and in educating the masses on issues of national importance,” he added. “The role of media will be significant during the forthcoming elections when it has to discharge its obligations with responsibilities,” he said. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\18\story_18-11-2007_pg7_17 |
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Editorial “Daily Times: your right to know” |
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The publisher and printer of Daily Times, Mr Salmaan Taseer, has joined the caretaker administration as Minister for Industries and Production. This is a personal decision. He once served the PPP but left politics in the mid 1990s to become a full-time businessman and entrepreneur in the IT sector. He is not a candidate in the forthcoming general elections to the National Assembly on any party’s platform.
Nonetheless, his decision has led to some disquiet among a section of the readers of Daily Times who are concerned that the paper’s editorial independence should not be compromised. In the event, we wish to reiterate that the Daily Times is a professional organisation that is edited by a team of fiercely independent journalists. At no stage since the paper was launched in 2002 has this editorial team received, admitted or solicited any editorial “advice” from its corporate management or publisher. This is the way it is now and that is the way it will be in the future. Your right to know will not be compromised under any circumstances.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\11\18\story_18-11-2007_pg3_1 |
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Journalist injured in dacoity bid in Larkana |
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A local journalist was seriously injured when a dacoit tried to snatch his motorbike here late Friday night. The Larkana journalists held a meeting and demanded of the government to provide protection to journalists and arrest the dacoit. Reportedly, Naveed Larik and his brother were on way back to their home when a dacoit looted their money and tried to snatch motorbike. On putting up resistance, the dacoit fired a shot with a pistol. As a result, the journalist received an injury and fell down. The dacoit escaped from the scene. Larik was removed to Chandka Medical College (CMC) Hospital in a precarious condition. Journalists Ali Gul Sangi, Sayed Javed Shah, Nazir Siyal, Qalandar Bux, Abdul Fatah, Ghulam Sarwar Gadhi, Manzoor Ali, Riaz Mirani, Sabir Ali, Abdul Hamid, Majeed Gaad and others demanded of the government to arrest the dacoit besides providing protection to the newsmen. |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=129286&catid=2&date=11/18/2007&fcatid=14 |
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4 policemen suspended for allowing foreign journalist on SC premises |
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Four policemen deployed at the Supreme Court building were suspended after they allowed a foreign journalist to enter the premises without a pass, sources told Dawn here on Saturday. The suspended personnel of sub-inspector and assistant sub- inspector ranks were found guilty of helping the foreign journalist, Christina Lamb, in entering the court premises. It maybe mentioned here that the Constitution Avenue from Radio Pakistan to Parade Venue has been cordoned off by the law enforcement agencies and declared a red zone. There is also a strict ban on entry of people not possessing special passes.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/11/18/nat14.htm |
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Father, uncle of newsman killed in attack |
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Nasim Haider and Haider Abbas, the father and uncle of Muhammad Shafiq, sub-editor/reporter of the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), died in a mortar attack on their house here early Saturday. Shafiq’s grandfather Haji Salim Khan and another uncle Qamar were injured in the attack. The deceased were laid to rest in their ancestral graveyard the same day while the injured were admitted to the Agency Headquarters Hospital. Late Nasim Haider was an officer-bearer of the Parachinar chapter of Awami National Party.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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Television
TV celebrity Shafi Muhammad passes away |
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Noted television star Shafi Muhammad Shah, known across the subcontinent for his profound portrayal of both urbanised and feudal characters, passed away after brief illness Saturday evening. He was around 60. He breathed his last at his residence at the Seaview Apartments. He suffered cardiac arrest while asleep.
Fellow television actor Qaiser Khan Nizamani, who visited the deceased’s residence after the demise, said that although Shafi Muhammad Shah had been off and on suffering from kidney ailment, he had got the requisite treatment for the decease. He said that death of the seasoned actor was highly shocking for him.
When asked to comment on the acting abilities and distinctions of the deceased, Qaiser Nizamani just broke into tears and said that he was just speechless owing to enormity of the tragedy. Although he started his career with Sindhi TV plays, he earned fame for his numerous Pakistan Television Urdu drama serials and long-plays. The versatile television personality, Shafi Muhammad Shah, will long be remembered as the most camera-friendly actor of PTV, with his characteristic winsome smile. He played a powerful character of a feudal lord in the drama serial, Chand Grahan, in which he suffered tragedy of killing of his own son due to an extra-judicial operation of police. This correspondent remembers the actor best for his portrayal of a head of an urbanised family in PTV drama serial Aanch, written by playwright Naheed Sultana Akhtar, in which he struggled to bind together his family which is on the verge of break-up. |
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=4 |
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Radio
Gujar Khan’s mark tully |
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Government’s ban on private TV channels has revived people’s interest in good old radio which used to be the main provider of news during dictatorship periods. Now a growing number of people are tuning into the BBC, Voice of America (VOA), the Voice of Germany (VoG), All India Radio and Radio Zahidan, Iran, to know what was happening in Pakistan. The BBC which used to be the most popular radio frequency for news in the past and which people in cities had virtually stopped listening to has once again become the main source of their information on Pakistan. The private TV channels were playing a useful role in educating common people about the political affairs and it was expected this flood of information that was coming through live debates and discussions would greatly affect the peoples choices in the coming elections. But just when this was to happen government clamped a ban on the free channels as a result of which the information that the people are getting now is in accordance with the information policies of Britain, USA, Germany or India. The Pakistani viewpoint is not getting across. In Gujar Khan where there are not many shops where one could buy television dishes people made a beeline to the few that had some supplies but soon the sale was banned. Now the rich who already have the facility are inviting friends to watch the banned channels at their houses. So for the common man radio is the main that “even Musharraf cannot stop” said old Mohammad Yaqub, a lumbardar, who keeps a small radio next to his ear and surfs from frequency to frequency to know the latest about the reaction and protest against the emergency. He is nicknamed Mark Tully by the people after the famous BBC reporter who provided all the ‘bad’ news about Pakistan during the 1971 war and the liberation struggle of the people of East Pakistan.
(Dawn-13)
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Telecommunication
Beware SMS text fraud |
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As cell phone service providing companies have launched credit-sharing for customers there has been a spread of spam messages and calls inviting them to type in a specific message such as 10092300123456740 to have their balance doubled. They also promise cash prizes. Customers have lost their balance by responding to such messages, said Omar Manzur, Manager Public Relations, Mobilink. There is no such promotion taking place right now and if such a promotion did take place Mobilink would never ask the lucky-draw participants to send a code in order to win. Mobilink uses this format for balance transfer only. Lucky-draw campaigns and other promotions are widely covered and announced in media campaigns and not through SMS only. The PTA website is also advising cellular customers to ignore messages received from unknown sources (http/www.pta.gov.pkRef.htm) as this can result in loss of balance to unaware customers, he added. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007%5C11%5C17%5Cstory_17-11-2007_pg12_2 |
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