Monday November 27, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

Pirated CDs and DVDs no more easily accessible

The recently launched campaign against pirated CDs and DVDs by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has compelled the music-sellers to remove the pirated stuff from their shops. Azeem Ahmed, a music lover, now requires more money to satisfy his urge of hearing English and Indian songs. A few days earlier it was as inexpensive as a cone ice cream. Ahmed and countless music lovers used to buy pirated CDs to listen to their favourite music, usually in the format of MP3. Each CD costing Rs 30 contained dozens of MP3 songs. Each song cost less than Re 1 while the official and legal websites charge over $ 1 per song to download.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\27\story_27-11-2006_pg11_1

Taliban release two Pakistani journalists

Two Pakistani journalists whom Taliban fighters had taken into custody in Afghanistan were released on Sunday morning, said Taliban spokesman Dr Muhammad Hanif. In a phone call to The News, Hanif said the Taliban fighters had taken the two journalists—Syed Saleem Shahzad and Qamar Yousufzai—into protective custody so that other people, including security personnel of the Afghan government, could not harm them. Hanif said the journalists were found in the Taliban-controlled area without any prior notice to them. “We control the area where the journalists were found. We had kept them into our protective custody so that nobody could harm them for giving a bad name to the Taliban,” the spokesman said.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/top_story_detail.asp?Id=4422

Taliban release Pakistani reporters

The Taliban have released two Pakistani journalists who were detained for several days in southern Afghanistan after entering Taliban-controlled territory without permission, a purported spokesman for the hard-line Islamic militia said on Sunday. Syed Saleem Shahzad, from The Star newspaper in Karachi, and Qamar Yousafzai, a reporter with various newspapers in Quetta, were last heard from in Afghanistan's southern Kandahar province on November 19.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\11\27\story_27-11-2006_pg7_10

Taliban release 2 Pak reporters

The insurgent Taliban movement in Afghanistan said Sunday it had released two Pakistani journalists after holding them for nearly five days because they had entered a district without its permission. "This morning the two journalists were released near the Pakistan and Afghan border," purported Taliban spokesman Muhammad Hanif told AFP, without saying exactly where the men were apparently dropped off. They were captured after entering the Baghran district of the southern province of Helmand without Taliban permission, he claimed. "Every time journalists try to come to the Taliban area, they must first contact the Taliban," Hanif stressed.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/Ba_ShortNews.aspx?fbshortid=1375&
bcatid=14&bstatus=Current&fcatid=14&fstatus=Current

Taliban say Pakistani journalists released

Taliban on Sunday said they had released two Pakistani journalists after holding them for nearly five days because they had entered a district without its permission.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/27/top9.htm

Policeman removed for mishandling journalists

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Sardar Nisar Khan on Sunday removed an inspector from the post of station house officer and ordered an inquiry into alleged manhandling of journalists by him. Garhi Dupatta police station SHO Riaz Mughal was sent to the Police Lines and DSP Hattian Bala Raja Nasrullah Khan was appointed to hold inquiry into the Saturday's incident within one week.

http://www.dawn.com/2006/11/27/nat10.htm

Radio programme to highlight Cholistan folk music

Central Production of Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) will present a programme on folk music from Cholistan Rohi to promote country's traditional songs. The songs to be presented will be sung by Pardesan who comes from family of gypsy singers accompanying her husband who is also a singer is named Krishan Dan Bhatt.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=70293&catid=17

FM LISTENING

In memory of Waheed Murad

Waheed Murad, a man born with a sliver spoon in his mouth is considered one of the legendary superstars produced by the Pakistan film industry. With his stunning looks and style he was the heart beat of the women of every age. Due to his tan complexion Waheed is popularly known as ‘Chocolate hero'. He was the man of high-spirit and passion for work.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=70287&catid=17

FM channels not just a source of infotainment

Our FM channels broadcast programmes which can best be described as infotainment. Music takes precedence over information although entertainment should be given second priority. Dissemination of public information messages should remain the basic purpose of FM channels but unfortunately our private radio channels have failed to carry out this responsibility. Most of the channels spent most of their airtime transmitting only back-to-back music or advertisements. Although one enjoys listening to music and also cannot do away with advertisements once and for all, nobody can discount the importance of diffusion of information.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/CityNews.aspx?dtlid=70322&catid=3

Dacoits robbed senior journalist Khushnood Khan and tortured

Mid night of Saturday and Sunday seven armed housebreakers climbed into the senior journalist house and locked all the family members in a room. The dacoits looted currency, jewelry and other valuables. The dacoits also tortured the journalist. Police has registered an FIR against unknown offenders… Daily Sahafat, Frtont Page   

REPORT

Pakistan 's TV industry in crises

After the turnaround of the TV industry starting six years ago - from near extinct to a robust high growth industry due to supportive Government policy making, it is now facing the dilemma of imported old/used computer monitors being used to make low cost poor quality televisions with fake brand names in the non-tax paying unorganized sector.
The import of old/used computer monitors was allowed by the Government to promote computer literacy at affordable prices for the masses. However, this positive intention is being completely misused and has resulted in the decline of the TV industry. According to data collected from the Government the imports of old / used computer monitors jumped from 660,000 in 2004-05 to 1,300,000 in 2005-06.

http://www.nation.com.pk/daily/nov-2006/27/bnews8.php

LETTERS TO EDITOR

Dangerous billboards

I read in local newspapers that during heavy rains, a man died when he sought shelter underneath a billboard which suddenly fell on him. While no death was reported in recent incidents, it nonetheless highlights the dangers billboards pose to safety, whether it is during harsh weather or when one is distracted by their pictures while driving on roads.
http://www.thepost.com.pk/LetNews.aspx?dtlid=70254&catid=4

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.