APNS, CPNE condemn media curbs
APNS, CPNE condemn media curbs
KARACHI: The APNS and the CPNE have noted with alarm the rapidly deteriorating environment of freedom of express and freedom of press in Pakistan as the 15th day of the Emergency draws to a close.
Hameed Haroon, President, All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Syed Faseih Iqbal, President, Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors Council (CPNE) in a joint statement have stated that the single most important step that needs to be taken today by the government is an urgent restoration of all television news channels in Pakistan.
This alone will allow an immediate return to the process of constructive dialogue between government and civil society for which, a free press and a free electronic media are arbitrators or referees. When President, Musharraf declared an Emergency, it was his government’s stated objective that despite a suspension of fundamental rights including freedom of expression and a free press, the governance of the country would correspond “ as nearly as possible” to the functioning of the Constitution. The recent taking off the air of Geo and ARY news channels by the Dubai Government is viewed by all parts of the press, whether print or electronic, whether journalists or editors, as a serious blow to any hopes for improvement in the situation.
The APNS and CPNE are firmly of the view that freedom of the print media cannot be separated from the freedom of expression within the electronic media. Since the same groups of editors and journalists comprise the work force of the entire press any blow sustained by a part of the press will cause irreparable damage to the rest of the media.
We believe, it is essential to chalk an immediate way out of this major national crisis. If the major electronic news channels are restored without any delay, the components of the press — the APNS, the CPNE and the PFUJ (supported by the PBA) are prepared to convene a joint assembly of the press in which, the agenda of the government grievances against the media and vice versa can be dealt with speedily. In any democracy leading towards elections, a constructive dialogue between the government and the arbitrators for freedom of expression — the Fourth Estate — is essential. Such a dialogue cannot be meaningfully considered when electronic channels are gagged and friendly neighborly countries are prevailed upon to withdraw satellite transmission facilities in a way that the gravitates towards creating regional misunderstanding in place of regional interchange.
We urge President Musharraf to review his current broadcasting and print media policies occasioned by the Emergency before it is too late, otherwise, a deteriorating climate for freedom of expression and freedom of association within Pakistan would immediately drift towards the destruction of the principle of freedom of choice — which the general elections attempt to represent.
We appeal to our colleagues within the ranks of journalists, lawyers and political activists, either at the barricades or castigated in prisons, to join together in a national reconciliation effort which can only begin with the immediate restoration of the television channels in Pakistan and prompt withdrawal of black amendments in the Press, Newspapers, News Agencies and Book Registration Ordinance 2002 and PEMRA Ordinance 2003.
Source: The News
Date:11/18/2007
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