• January 1, 2019
• Broadcasting, Freedom of Expression, Front Page, Media and Governance, Media Safety, Publications and Reports, Social Media

From special coercive law to blatant censorship, the Pakistani media has witness many forms of oppression in its 71 years of struggle-filled existence. But in 2018 the media endured an unprecedented level of imposed “self-censorship” through tactics unbecoming of a responsible state. Those who refuse to fall in line suffer loss of readership and viewership. Unjustified cover-ups and the suppression of truth […]

• January 1, 2019
• Media and Society, New Media, Social Media, Television

Highlighting the media’s role in strengthening the conversation about marginalised communities, the Legal Rights Forum (LRF) held a discussion with journalists at a hotel on Monday evening. Expressing concern over the situation at media outlets with regards to censorship, Tahir Hasnain of the LRF said that despite being a democracy, it seems that the country […]

• December 31, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

LAHORE: The Punjab Food Authority (PFA) in its first editorial board meeting has unanimously decided to publish PFA Magazine on mobile application and website. PFA Director General (retd) Captain Muhammad Usman said that the decision was made to engage and target maximum audience in a short time by utilising digital technology. He said that magazine will […]

• December 30, 2018
• Arts and Entertainment, Broadcasting, Freedom of Expression, Governance, Media and Governance, Media and Society, New Media, Social Media, Television

Pakistan’s politics repeats itself first as tragedy, then as farce. So, while you may initially be inclined to shed tears over it, a better reaction, I humbly suggest, might be to enjoy the absurdities for what they are. It is the greatest comic show, better than anything you could find on Netflix. And it certainly […]

• December 29, 2018
• Social Media

Realme, an emerging smartphone brand that specialises in providing high quality smartphones, announced their official launch date in Pakistan. The brand is set to reveal its line-up for the Pakistani market, and details plus recommended retail prices on January 02, 2019. Based on the brand’s moto and philosophy, Realme smartphones are designed on the concept […]

• December 27, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

ISLAMABAD: The Mobile Phone Traders’ Association on Wednesday demanded that the deadline for blocking imported phones be extended by another month or two as a large number of dealers have placed orders for imported mobile phones. Speaking at a press conference at the National Press Club, the association’s Central President Munir Baig Mirza said dealers […]

• December 25, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

ISLAMABAD: Former prime minister Nawaz Sharif’s conviction in Al-Azizia reference jolted social media and hawks from ruling Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf and opposition Pakistan Muslim League-Nawaz furiously attacked each other. International and local media houses flashed the news on internet instantly, capturing the attention of thousands, making trend #NawazShairf popular with over 25,000 comments, where intellectuals, politicians, journalists and […]

• December 22, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

KARACHI: The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on Friday claimed to have arrested a suspect for committing “online electronic fraud” amounting to Rs3 billion, said additional director of the cybercrime circle of FIA Mohammed Younis. “The FIA arrested suspect Ghulam Sarwar in Gulshan-i-Iqbal,” added the officer. He was supposed to leave for Saudi Arabia on Friday […]

• December 20, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

LAHORE: A special judicial magistrate has asked the security department of Facebook to provide the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) with details of an account allegedly involved in running a vilification campaign on the social networking website against production team of an upcoming film ‘Legend of Maula Jatt.’ Ms Ammara, a resident of DHA, filed a […]

• December 20, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

ISLAMABAD: The interior ministry on Wednesday informed the Senate that during the first 10 months of the current year as many as 1,244 complaints were received regarding unauthorised transactions made through automated teller machines (ATMs) and Internet Banking Fund Transfers. Of the 1,244 complaints, 524 were turned into regular inquiries and 35 into FIRs while […]

• December 20, 2018
• Freedom of Expression, Media and Governance, New Media, Print Media, Social Media, Television

Upon superficial inspection, Pakistan’s market for expression is enjoying a golden age. This is a still a land of broadsheet newspapers, in both Urdu and English. Television channels only multiply. The country hardly lacks for people with a point of view, with regiments of columnists and teeming opinion-formers on social media. This picture of a thriving, […]

• December 18, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

A resolution has been submitted in the Punjab Assembly to demand explanation from Google as to why when one types ‘bhikari’ in the search bar the picture of Prime Minister Imran Khan pops up. The resolutions asks for Google CEO Sundar Pichai to be summoned and explain why this happens. Notwithstanding the fact that surely […]

• December 15, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

KARACHI: Karachi University (KU) has stated that it has no concern whatsoever with a Facebook page seeking Rs500 registration fee for a conference titled ‘Flat Earth’. “The university makes it clear that the page publicising this seminar at KU’s Arts Auditorium on Jan 11, 2019, is misleading. Students and the general public are advised to […]

• December 14, 2018
• New Media, Social Media

Minister for Parliamentary Affairs, Muhammad Ali Thursday informed a parliamentary panel that Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organisation), Act 1996 and Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act 2016 are pending in an inter-provincial coordination committee. After approval from the committee, the bills would be submitted to the federal cabinet for further approval, he said. The Senate Committee on Delegated […]