Sunday October 29, 2006

A daily review of media coverage of media and communications issues

RSF condemns journalist's torture during detention

Reporters Without Borders, an international media watchdog organisation, has said that it was relieved by the release of Meheruddin Marri, a Sindhi journalist, but “outraged by the torture inflicted on him by the army during his detention”. Marri had been missing since 27 June. “These methods seem to have become the army's preferred tool for scaring journalists suspected of links with the Baloch movement,” the press freedom organisation stated. It called for a thorough investigation into the kidnapping of the journalist who told the BBC that he was “tortured” during detention.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\29\story_29-10-2006_pg7_27

Journalist still waiting for impounded motorbike

No action has been taken so far on a complaint submitted Civil Lines police station by a local journalist whose motorcycle was impounded by policemen securing the American Consulate. Muhammad Nawaz Tahir, senior vice president of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, was covering a protest event and had parked his motorbike (LXO-8260) ahead of Lahore Press Club.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\29\story_29-10-2006_pg7_42

FM-LISTENING: Celebrating Eid with FM

Last Monday eve when news of no Eid moon being sighted and consequently the delay of Eid ul Fitr spread, it extinguished many an excited moment and filled hearts with ashes of dullness. People just an hour away from celebrating Chand Raat had to drop the idea. Whereas the ones travelling who had been hitherto moving towards shopping malls to chill out had to instead move towards mosques to offer Taravi.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_IsbNews.aspx?dtlid=65699&catid=
17&date=10/29/2006&fcatid=14

Liberty Papers Ltd 15th meeting held

The 15th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Liberty Papers Limited was held at the company head office, Khabrain Tower Lahore, with company Chief Executive Zia Shahid in the chair Saturday. During the AGM, the share holders ratified the accounts and audit reports till June 30, 2006. Share holders expressed pleasure over the fact that the company like previous year also earned profit during this year.

http://www.thepost.com.pk/Arc_CityNews.aspx?dtlid=65752&
catid=3&date=10/29/2006&fcatid=14

INTERVIEW

Dr Mehdi Hassan – Head, School of Media , Communication, Beaconhouse National University

“The government must tighten its rules against plagiarism and copyright laws so that nobody dared cheat again. All universities have rules against plagiarism and authorities need to implement them. Students and officials responsible for plagiarism should be expelled or punished by demotion and that the promotions of officials could be held for a specific period.

http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2006\10\29\story_29-10-2006_pg13_4

The Voice of City FM 89

By Fariha Rashed

Talk about radio and without any doubt you are bound to hear the name Sohail Hashmi mentioned. He is a multi-talented person, punctual in his daily chores and serious about his work, Sohail is proud to be the voice of FM 89. With the recent rapid growth of radio stations in the country, his voice has attracted many listeners to become radio devotees. (A questions & answers session) …. The Post, Eyecandy

OPINION

The coming media shakedown

By Fasi Zaka

The next three years is the best time for becoming famous. There are just so many channels out there that even the most mediocre will be able to find some kind of slot for themselves. The media is desperate for good content. The amount of people on TV and radio is simply astounding, but with just so many channels out there very few actually manage to register.

http://jang.com.pk/thenews/oct2006-weekly/nos-29-10-2006/instep.htm#9

Musharraf's memoirs

It is fashionable to blame Late Zulfiqar Bhutto for the separation of East Pakistan . It is fashionable to hold Late General Ziaul Haq responsible for Pakistan 's drift to religious extremism and the resultant sectarian killings. It is now fashionable to criticise General Pervez Musharraf for writing his memoirs while in office. In all these situations there is a tendency to find a simple answer for a tragedy, political development or an event with which we do not want to mentally reconcile. This has led to distorted interpretations on important issues with serious repercussions for the country at large. In the din of claims and counter claims we lose sight of the truth and end up with explanations that are invariably inaccurate and have an impact on our attitude with ensuing implications for political developments.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/arc_news.asp?id=9

BOOK REVIEW

News on Radio and Television
ByAnwar Saeed Siddiqui
Syed & Syed Publishers
Available with Fazlee Sons,
Urdu Bazar, Karachi .
206pp. Rs165

With the ever increasing number of television channels in the country, it is understandable why more and more people are gradually becoming interested in knowing and understanding the intricate functioning of the news media. There were days when radio alone was the source of information for the people at large. The family members would sit glued to the radio and wait for the news bulletin. The most exciting moment generally came when people would anxiously await the appearance of the moon. But with growing involvement of people in the affairs of their lives and with the political awakening, people have become more interested in getting first hand information about the issues that have been troubling their minds.

http://www.dawn.com/weekly/books/books13.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.