Friday October 20, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

New theatre to open in Islamabad next year

A new theatre at the National Gallery in Islamabad will open early next year in a bid to promote quality of performing arts in the country. Claire Pamment, the consultant for the Pakistan National Council of Arts (PNCA), told Daily Times that the theatre would be accessible to diverse audiences. “We are currently investing in a solid base comprising highly qualified theatre artists and a fully equipped building that will provide the basic framework for theatrical arts to flourish,” she said.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\20\story_20-10-2006_pg11_4

FOI Ordinance hurdle in access to information

Amendments in Freedom of Information (FOI) Ordinance, repeal of the Official Secret Act and the government's obligation to disseminate information proactively are essential for empowering people. This was observed by speakers in a discussion on Access to Information held in Peshawar on Thursday….. The Nation, Page-5

Journalists to protest one Eid holiday

The Lahore Press Club and the Punjab Union of Journalists will hold a protest demonstration against the All Pakistan Newspapers Society's decision to give only one holiday for Eid-ul-Fitr, today. A PUJ press release stated that Hawkers Union, members of Lahore Press Club and members of All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation would protest outside Assembly Hall at 3:00 pm.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\20\story_20-10-2006_pg7_21

One holiday on Eid

 Journalists protest APNS decision

A joint protest demonstration by Khuber Union of Journalists (KhUJ), Peshawar Press Club (PPC) and Newspapers Hawker Association (NHA) would be held today (Friday) after Juma prayer to condemn the APNS decision regarding one off day on Eidul Fitr. The three different organisations have requested working journalists and Akhbar Faroshan to participate in the protest in large number for the rights of working journalists and hawkers.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/NatNews.aspx?dtlid=64687&catid=2

Hawkers oppose APNS decision

The All Pakistan Akhbar Farosh Federation has said that the decision of a one-day Eid holiday has been taken by the APNS ‘unilaterally' and that newspaper distributors and sellers will observe two-day holiday. A statement issued by the federation on Thursday said hawkers would not distribute any paper during the two-day holiday.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/10/20/nat19.htm

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.