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A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues. |
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Intimidation
AJK journalists demo against threats to TV channel |
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Journalists Thursday staged a protest demonstration following police threats against a private TV channel 'Apna Desh' and then forcefully trying to enter its boundary. Journalists Thursday were carrying placards and black ribbons tied on their arms outside Central Press Club to express their anger over the threats of police to TV channel in Mirpur. They said the AJK journalists believed in press freedom and would not allow anyone to throttle it.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=94249&catid=2&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Ban
Journalists walkout of the National Assembly |
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Journalists and opposition members staged a walk out from National Assembly to condemn the ban on a private TV channel since three days. The journalists returned to the assembly proceedings after assuarances from the federal ministers to resolve the issue soon. Liaquat Baloch, Tehmina Daultana and Raja Pervez Ashraf criticized the government for imposing the ban on a private TV channel.
(Daily Khabrain – Page 5)(Daily Nawa-e-Waqt – Back Page)
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Television
Pakistan may allow two Indian channels |
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The government may allow two Indian TV channels to air their transmissions if they commit to follow Pakistan's policy strictly. Sources said two Indian TV channels could be given opportunity to operate in Pakistan if they followed frame-work described by the government of Pakistan.
(The Post) (Daily Khabrain – Front Page) |
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=5544&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14 |
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New channels to get NOCs soon: Secretary Information |
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Says media must observe code of conduct
The government believes in a free, vibrant and socially responsible media, Information and Broadcasting Secretary Syed Anwar Mahmood said Thursday. Talking to newsmen, he said Pakistan was the only country where "Cross Media Ownership" law had been promulgated which reflected the strong commitment of the government to promote a healthy competitive environment aimed at enhancing the public accessibility to unbiased information. The information secretary dispelled the impression that the government was reluctant to issue licenses and provide other relevant confirmation and facilities to any of the private television channels.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_NatNews.aspx?dtlid=94128&catid=2&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14 |
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The News Op Ed: Electronic media: a decisive factor |
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It is obvious that the electronic media has emerged as a decisive new factor in the power game. From now on governments, and in fact every player in politics, will have to contend with its strength and intrusive glare. The new heroes of this age are TV reporters and anchorpersons and the talk show hosts. People like Kamran Khan, Talat Hussain, and Hamid Mir were already known but they have now become significant players on the political landscape. Not too far behind are some new young hosts who are also making a mark. Their daily programs are widely seen and are playing a major role in forming public opinion.
(The News – Editorial) (Daily Aaj – Editorial)
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=9 |
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Radio
FM listening | a lackluster show |
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Taking into account the strange behaviour of our youth and the things that are directly and indirectly affecting their lives, Power 99 FM recently arranged a discussion on this. It was a broad discussion and brought many other related issues into limelight. Najib Ahmed director programming of Power99 FM was the host of the show and Roshan Malik was the guest. Throughout their discussion both of them tried to dig out the reasons behind the strange attitudes and changing behaviours of our youth. They were confused whether to blame media or the parents who are so busy in worldly affairs that they don't get time for their children..
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=94223&catid=17&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14 |
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New radio programmes for women by ‘Meri Awaz Suno’ |
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A group of pioneering women journalists has produced a series of radio programmes profiling the lives and times of Pakistani women of substance. The 15-minute radio programme - Shakhsi Khakey - depicts the famous and not so famous women from different walks of life. The programme is produced by Meri Awaz Suno, the all women production house based in Islamabad, says a press release. Produced professionally at a state-of-the-art digital production studio by women producers, the programme speaks about Pakistani women workers, the challenges they face and struggles they have had to overcome to achieve their targets. Meri Awaz Suno has produced over 230 radio programmes since it has been established.
http://www.dawn.com.pk/2007/04/27/nat15.htm
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg11_9
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=94227&catid=17&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14
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Media Regulation
Members seek PEMRA meeting |
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Members of the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority Board have sought an emergency meeting of the board to discuss consequences of the recent actions against various TV channels taken by the Pemra chairman. In a letter addressed to PEMRA chairman Iftikhar Rasheed, PEMRA Board members Samar Minallah, Seemi Naghmana, Dr. Najma Najam and Umar Aziz expressed concern over the situation and said that since the last board meeting held in November 2006, the authority had unilaterally taken some important decisions, without taking the board members into confidence. They said the recent blocking of a television channel on most of the country’s cable distribution system, issuance of a show-cause notice by the authority and other related actions had attracted severe criticism from human rights bodies and civil society organisations at home and abroad.
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http://www.dawn.com.pk/2007/04/27/nat8.htm |
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Notice issued to Aaj TV suspended till May 16 |
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A division bench of the Sindh High Court suspended the notice issued to Aaj TV for telecasting the live coverage of Chief Justice Pakistan’s address to the Peshawar Bar Association.
(Daily Ummat – Back Page)
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NoC issued to Aaj Tv |
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The Ministry of Information has issued an NoC to Aaj Tv for uplinking its transmission temporarily. The NoC will be processed by PEMTA in accordance with its laws. Aaj TV had requested the Ministry of Information earlier for temporary uplinking of its transmission.
(Daily Ummat – Back Page)
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Misuse of PEMRA laws badly effected media freedom | Opposition |
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The speaker national Assembly Ch. Ameer Hussain criticized the Cabinet Division for not providing timely briefing to Dr. Sher Afgan Niazi regarding PEMRA laws. The opposition criticized PEMRA for issuing notices to private channels and imposing a ban on Aaj TV. It said that misusing the PEMRA laws has badly effected and curbed media freedom.
(Daily Nawa-e-Waqt – Back Page)
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Arm twisting the media: The Post Editorial by Ednan Shahid |
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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the government have come in for criticism for issuing a show cause notice to Aaj TV with reference to the coverage of the Supreme Judicial Council’s proceedings. While the Sindh High Court has restrained PEMRA from taking action against the channel, the issue has fuelled public anger against the government’s growing intolerance of the media.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_EditorialNews.aspx?dtlid=94137&catid=10&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Media Unions
PBA concerned over bid to withdraw ads |
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The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) will start making presentations for cross media licenses from May 2-3, as the notification for amendments to the PEMRA ordinance 2002 was issued on April 14, 2007, disclosed the PEMRA chairman, Iftikhar Rashid. He termed the establishment of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) a milestone for electronic media industry, says a PBA press release. Inaugurating the newly established Secretariat of Pakistan Broadcasters Association, he said that his presence on this occasion signifies the relationship between the regulator and the regulatee. He pointed towards off-airing TV Today, a PBA member, and called for a consultative arrangement between PEMRA and the PBA before taking such extreme steps. He also called for improving the PEMRA Ordinance and framing of rules after due consultation.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_default.asp |
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Music & Movies
CD shop-owners fear wrath of Jamia Hafsa |
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A 30-day deadline given by the Lal Masjid administration to the owners of CD shops for winding up their business ends on Friday (today) and it is feared that the militants may resort to any action. “We are feeling insecure and require the government’s protection,” a shopkeeper in Abpara Market told Dawn. “We do not know that what will happen to us after the end of the deadline.” The shopkeeper said a large group comprising 40-50 baton-wielding people, some of them with covered faces, had visited the market asking sellers of CDs, audio and video cassettes to switch over to some other business.
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http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/27/nat4.htm |
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Cinema
‘Main laut kay aoon ga’ screened at Lahore Press Club |
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‘Main laut kay aoon ga’, a movie with Indian and Pakistani actors had a press show at the Lahore Press Club on Thursday. The Rs 50 million budget movie features Asha Bhosley and Jawad Ahmed together for the first time in playback. The director of the movie, Shoaib Alam, said the co-production would help increase viewership of Lollywood movies. He said the reason Lollywood suffered in the international arena was because of a lack of adequate equipment necessary for filmmaking. He also said the post-production of the film was shot in Bombay to make it look more modern. |
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg7_45 |
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Arts
A new place for Islamabad’s art buffs |
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Joy and cheers fuelled the evening at the opening of the new Tanzara Gallery that hosted its first exhibition by one of Pakistan’s most celebrated artists, Raja Changez Sultan, on Thursday. The supercharged atmosphere studded with the city’s whose who, was an exciting moment in the otherwise dormant art scene. The new art gallery, which has created a buzz of its own, would host works of both established artists and new talents, expanding the range of possibilities for local shows and embracing a burgeoning local art scene powered by younger artists and the old and new generations of art fans.
http://www.dawn.com.pk/2007/04/27/nat17.htm
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg11_10 |
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Islamic calligraphic art gallery opens at PU |
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Punjab University vice chancellor Arshad Mehmood inaugurated the Islamic Calligraphic Art Gallery featuring Saeed Ahmad Bodla’s calligraphic work at the Sheikh Zayed Islamic Centre on Thursday. The VC said Muslims had excelled in the difficult art of calligraphy over the ages. Artist Aslam Kamal, cartoonist Javed Iqbal and scholar Dr Khurshid Rizvi attended the ceremony and appreciated Bodla’s work.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg7_46 |
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Telecommunication
Poor public response raises many questions: Mobile Number Portability |
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Less than one per cent of the cell phone users have opted for the Mobile Number Portability after one month of its launch, raising a question whether it is the ‘right time’ to offer the service to the public. According to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority, around 10,000 of the 50.2 million cell phone subscribers have availed themselves of the facility in a month and about 20,000 have applied for it. However, some cell phone operators claim that the number of people who has benefitted from the facility is not more than 7,500.
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http://www.dawn.com.pk/2007/04/27/nat40.htm |
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Another phone tower: Letter to the Editor about violation of PTA orders |
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A leading cellular company is constructing one of its towers in a densely populated locality of Bahawalpur, Shahdra. This is happening at a time when the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority is urging all cellular companies to move their towers outside the residential areas due to the hazardous affects of these towers on human life. The higher authorities of both the regulators and the concerned companies are requested to behave responsibly and stop this construction.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg3_7 |
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Theater
Minister backs demand for curbs on burqa play |
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The National Assembly on Thursday tasted a Taliban-like move taking a summary cultural toll as the government seemed making a double retreat -- over a drama featuring the burqa (veil) and in a row with the opposition over the country’s judicial crisis. While its seeming appeasement of religious militants seeking to enforce their brand of a Taliban-style religious code in Islamabad has aroused concern among both its friends and foes, the government told the lower house it had immediately stopped any more shows of the drama produced in Lahore, bowing to demands from burqa-clad members of religious parties who said the production made in Lahore was contrary to Quranic injunctions.
http://www.dawn.com/2007/04/27/top1.htm
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg1_4 |
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No notice received: Madiha |
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The Ajoka theatre group has not received a notice from the federal government banning its play ‘Burqavaganza’, and if it does, it will challenge the notice in court, Madiha Gohar of Ajoka told Daily Times. She said the government action against the play came at the behest of MMA MPs, exposing the official slogan of enlightened moderation as an “eyewash”. staff report.
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http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2007\04\27\story_27-4-2007_pg1_5 |
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Mosque Media
Anti-polio drive faces tough opposition in Swat |
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Lack of awareness and teachings of certain religious clerics are obstructing the ongoing anti-polio campaign, with parents in different parts of the Swat district showing reluctance to administer anti-polio drops to their children. Referring to the sermon of a religious leader on an FM channel, a district officer said that the religious figure was telling the people that giving anti-polio drops to their children was against Islam. "The cleric says that if someone dies of this disease he is a martyr,” the official maintained. About twelve illegal FM channels operate in the Swat valley and almost all of them are used by religious leaders to promote their version of the religion. Female education and anti-polio campaigns are the two main targets of every sermon.
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http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=2 |
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Media Miscellaneous
Govt committed to free speech |
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Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani reiterated his stance on media freedom, saying the government will defend freedom of expression at all cost. Talking to PTV, he said the current regime fully supports a free and independent media, adding that the PEMRA is an independent regulatory authority. He said if a channel to which a notice is issued is not involved in any wrongdoing, then, its reply will help clarify misconceptions, maintaining that it would be in the interest of all independent channels and organisations to set up a proper and transparent mechanism acceptable to all. Senator Durrani accused the past governments of using police force to suppress opponents, saying the present government upholds democratic norms besides promoting a political culture based on these values in the country.
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http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_MainNews.aspx?bdtl_id=5538&fb_id=2&catid=14&date=04/27/2007&fcatid=14 |
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Citizens offer volunteer services to Ednan Shahid Foundation |
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People from different walks of life have contacted Ednan Shahid Foundation to offer their services as volunteers. These include traders, teachers, social workers, dispenser, tailors, doctors, transporters, students and political workers. The callers lauded the efforts of Ednan Shahid Foundation for their humanitarian services.
(Daily Khabrain – Back Page)
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Announcements
Rasm-e-Chehlum |
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The Rasm-e-Chehlum of renowned journalist Ashraf Hashmi will be held his residence on 28th April at H. No. 273, Street No. 75, G-9/3, Islamabad. PPP Chairperson Benazir Bhutto offered her condolences to the grieved family of Ashraf Hashmi.
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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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