Curb on media reflects failure of government
ISLAMABAD-Journalists’ struggle for free access to information for every man Sunday peacefully entered the third consecutive day amid loud slogans of journalists and civil society activists here in front of Geo building.
PFUJ and RIUJ were protesting against hostile ordinances and curbs on private television channels imposed by the government after the state of emergency in the country.
Hundreds of angry journalists from both print and electronic media gathered wearing black bands, some on their arms and some on their foreheads. Exhibiting sympathy for media a good number of intelligentsia was also chanting slogans for freedom of expression.
Talking to the protestors, General Secretary PFUJ, Mazhar Abbas said it was the third day of their protest and a large number of people from different strata of life joined them in their struggle for truth.
“ Imposing curbs on media is basically an attempt to control media as the government wants to play a role of a gatekeeper to keep people away from reality. We never believe in one-way communication and always try to take the versions of both opposition and the government party. However, a watchdog role of media can never be neglected,” he said.
Talking on media hostile ordinances, he said those ordinances are dangerous not only for reporters but it also suggested punishments for the owners, hosts and some other responsible crew of the channel. However, electronic media was particularly targeted.
“ Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation is an old institution. It was introduced when there was only state owned entertainment and later state sharing entertainment channels were introduced that’s why it has same rules for entertainment, news and current affairs channels.”
He also informed that some private television channels are going on air after bargaining with the government as they have a chance to promote their channels while the prominent ones are banned.
RIUJ president, Afzal Butt said they were struggling for the freedom of press since last 60 years and never compromised on the freedom and they would never do it now or in future.
“ Journalists play a watchdog role and the government wanted to keep people unaware by imposing ban/restrictions on media. But we would continue playing our role for betterment of the country”, he added.
Talking on the occasion, Secretary General MMA, Maulana Abdul Ghafor Haidri said, “the curb on media reflects failure of the government which has lost its writ”.
“ We condemn these restrictions on media as part of journalist’s struggle. We (MMA) have also given the ultimatum to the government for lifting the emergency, allowing the media to go on air and restoration of judiciary before November 15. If the government did not fulfill our demands, we would start country wide campaign against the government on November 16,” he informed.
Source: TheNation
Date:11/12/2007
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