Lift curbs on Geo Super: APNS, CPNE, advertisers
KARACHI: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Advertisers Society and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) demanded of the government and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to immediately lift the restrictions on the telecast of Geo Super so that the masses of the country could enjoy healthy sports.
APNS President Hameed Haroon said that in the greater public interest and freedom of speech, Geo Super should be allowed to continue to air from Pakistan. Pakistan Advertisers Society President Shahnoor Ahmed said: “In the interest of Pakistani viewers and the industry. We would like the Geo Super issue to be resolved swiftly and effectively.” Geo Super is one of Pakistan’s important TV channels, he added.
CPNE President Jamil Athar Qazi, Senior Vice President Qazi Asad Abid, Secretary General Illyas Shakir, Joint Secretary Javed Mehr Shamsi, Finance Secretary Mushtaq Ahmad Qureshi and members of the standing committee termed the blocking of Geo Super by the government and Pemra contemptible and non-acceptable act.
They said that by blocking Geo Super the government and Pemra have a blatantly attacked freedom of the press and free speech. They said the CPNE strongly condemns this dictatorial act and demands of the government and Pemra to immediately allow Geo Super telecast.
In a press release, the CPNE office-bearers also slated the vindictive activities against Geo Super and demanded of the government not to indulge in any such activity that can be dangerous for the freedom of the press.
The CPNE office-bearers while expressing solidarity with Geo Super, said that the present government has the credit of freeing the media in the country, but the responsibility to maintain this freedom also lies with the regime so that people could watch the channel of their liking.
They said that media persons and civil society members are unanimous against the curbs on the media, and they wish that Geo Super be allowed to telecast its transmissions so that the people could freely reach sports events and news.
Source: The News
Date:4/8/2011
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