07 | June | 2014 | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Daily Archives: June 7, 2014

Geo must not lose courage after licence suspension: Javed Jabbar

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: On the decision of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to suspend Geo News licence for 15 days, former information minister and Member of Supreme Court Media Commission, Javed Jabbar has said that Geo Group should not lose courage after the one-sided decision taken by Pemra. In a special talk with The News, Geo, […]


Media mess — III

Pakistan Press Foundation

While the media mess is now squarely in the courts, the government support to Geo and the reservations of the ministry of defence are backed by the public. The shortcomings of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) are being exposed. It is important that we put our heads together and try to find a […]


Black sheep in journalism exposed: Sethi

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: Senior political analyst Najam Sethi on Friday said around a dozen of black sheep in journalism had become exposed. Talking in Geo News programme ‘Aapis Ki Baat’, Sethi said in his opinion, the picture of ISI chief should not have been shown on Geo, adding that an unconditional apology must been submitted when the […]


Choking Geo

Pakistan Press Foundation

Geo TV went off air last night, accepting a Pemra directive though disagreeing with it. But it raises serious questions about how laws are framed and implemented. In what form of democracy is the accused sentenced and punished without even being given a chance to present a defence? That is exactly what Pemra has done […]


Regulatory body suspends broadcast of Geo Television for 15 days

Pakistan Press Foundation

Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on June 6, 2014 suspended Geo TV’s license for 15 days and imposed a fine of Rs10 million (US$ 100,000) , on a complaint filed by the Ministry of Defence on April 22 against airing unsubstantiated allegations against the chief of Pakistan military Inter-Service Intelligence (ISI). The five-member committee […]


Pakistan’s most popular channel shut down

Pakistan Press Foundation

KARACHI: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has ordered the Geo News to shut down for 15 days. This goes against the sentiments of civil society, parliamentarians, political parties as well as all journalist associations, including the APNS, CPNE and PFUJ besides international human rights and freedom of speech advocacy groups like the Amnesty […]


Pakistani regulator suspends Geo News

Pakistan Press Foundation

New York: The Committee to Protect Journalists condemns a decision today by Pakistan’s Electronic Media Regulatory Authority to suspend the license of Geo News. The regulator said if the channel does not pay a fine of 10 million rupees (US$100,000) by the end of the 15-day suspension, it will remain off the air, according to […]


Geo News suspended for two weeks, sues intelligence agency

Pakistan Press Foundation

Reporters Without Borders condemns today’s decision by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to suspend all broadcasting by the TV news channel Geo News for 15 days. The decision was taken in response to a defence ministry complaint to PEMRA accusing Geo News of waging a “vicious campaign, libellous and scandalous in nature” after […]


3

Ban of major private TV network is ‘attack on press freedom’

Pakistan Press Foundation

The Pakistani government’s suspension of Geo TV, the country’s largest private broadcaster, is a politically motivated attack on freedom of expression and the media, Amnesty International said. “The suspension of Geo TV is a serious attack on press freedom in Pakistan. It is the latest act in an organized campaign of harassment and intimidation targeting […]


This issue must end now

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: A six-word tweet — “Pemra action: ISI ruling, Govt retreating!” — by one Dr Nadia Khan on Friday said it all. Geo’s suspension for 15 days and Rs10 million fine by the government-backed Pemra is an extreme step that the civilian leadership has been compelled to take after the military establishment was not ready […]


A black day despite public support by all, PM, politicians included

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: Motivation and the motives behind suspension of Geo TV by Pemra apart, the stringent action against the most popular TV channel marks the blackest day for the constitutionally-guaranteed freedom of the press that was not offered on a silver platter. Meanwhile, vultures, disguised as TV anchorpersons and journalists, prodded and promoted by their masters, […]


World media bodies, rights watchdog slam Geo’s closure

Pakistan Press Foundation

WASHINGTON/PARIS/ISLAMABAD: Rights watchdog Amnesty International and international media organisations on Friday condemned the suspension of Geo News licence by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and termed it politically-motivated and an attack on the freedom of press. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists condemned the Pemra’s decision and termed it politically motivated and […]


IHC summons Pemra’s acting chief on June 9

Pakistan Press Foundation

ISLAMABAD: The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has summoned the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s acting chairman on June 9 over a plea of a private member of the authority. Mian Shams, the private member, filed a petition with the IHC, calling the Pemra’s Friday meeting a violation of the court orders. The authority, in a […]


When Pakistan’s largest news channel becomes the news

Pakistan Press Foundation

Today, Pakistan’s most watched news channel, Geo News, was ordered off the air and fined by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA). Earlier this week, CPJ documented an attack on Zafar Aheer, an editor of the Urdu-language Daily Jang, by six masked men–the latest in a series of attacks, threats, and acts of intimidation […]