CPNE criticizes ban on five newspapers
KARACHI – Secretary General Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Dr. Jabbar Khattak has criticized the ban on five Karachi-based daily newspapers by the Sindh government and termed it “extra-judicial action”.
In a statement on May 27, he said it was the CPNE standpoint that action against any newspaper should be taken only through the relevant law i.e. Newspaper Registration Law of 2002, rather than trough preventive laws.
He said declarations of these five newspapers were cancelled without abiding by the relevant rules and regulations. He said the CPNE was not taken into confidence on the matter.
Dr. Jabbar Khattak said: “CPNE believes in freedom of press and strongly opposes ‘yellow, black, vulgar and irresponsible journalism’, as according to him, “such sort of immoral journalism” is a serious threat to freedom of press and democratic values.
He said CPNE was committed with the government on agreed code of ethics and for dealing with its violations, there was availability of a law pertaining the formation of Pakistan Press Council. But for unknown reasons, the federal government was hesitant to constitute the council, he added.
He felt that if the Press Council had been set all actions pertaining to violation of press freedom would have been presented before it. At the same time matters pertaining to “yellow, black, vulgar and irresponsible journalism”, practiced by certain newspapers, would have also come under the purview of the Press Council, he stated.
Dr. Jabbar Khattak demanded withdrawal of the decision regarding the ban on publication of these five newspapers, sealing of their offices, and arrest of their staff.
He stressed that action against these newspapers should be taken under the relevant laws, rules and regulations.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:5/28/2004
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