International press freedom organisations express concern at “draconian curbs imposed on the Pakistani media”
Karachi Nov. 13 (PPI): Twenty seven leading international freedom of expression organizations have expressed deep concern at the “draconian curbs imposed on the Pakistani media as part of the state of emergency” declared on 3 November 2007.
In a joint letter addressed to President General Pervez Musharraf on November 12, the International Press Institute (IPI), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Canadian Journalists for Free Expression (CJFE), Freedom House, World Press Freedom Committee (WPFC, World Association of Community Radio Broadcasters (AMARC and Article 19, and other organisations have noted that the government of Pakistan has placed “sweeping legal restrictions on media freedoms” by amending laws relating to the electronic as well as the print media. The letter notes that the Provisional Constitutional Order (PCO) itself, which has replaced the constitution of the country, “specifically suspends Article 19 relating to freedom of the press.”
The letter expresses concern that the government has introduced two separate ordinances “imposing severe curbs on print and electronic media that give government officials the authority to take unilateral action against media organizations.” It notes that under the new amendments government officials can suspend publication of a newspaper for up to thirty days and have the authority to confiscate equipment of radio and television channels and to seal their premises for up to thirty days.
Owners and operators of radio and television channels who violate the amended electronic media laws can be punished by up to three years in jail and a fine of 10 million rupees (approx. US$164,000) or both. Cable operators found to be in violation of the ordinance can be punished by a jail term of one year and a fine of five million rupees (approx. US$82,000) or both.
Press freedom organisations of South and South Asia that are part of the joint letter include South East Asian Press Alliance (SEAPA); Free Media Movement (FMM), Sri Lanka; Media Watch, Bangladesh; Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) and Mizzima News, Burma.
The signatories to the letter note that immediately after the imposition of the state of emergency “the government machinery acted aggressively to curb freedom of expression in the country.” and notes that some of these actions include:
– Indefinite suspension of broadcasts of international and national private television news channels. Cable operators have been directed to only distribute entertainment channels approved by the authorities.
– Blockage of a number of websites of international and national news organizations on November 3.
– Blockage of telephone and SMS service in the capital city of Islamabad for some hours on November 3.
– Raids on a private television channel, two private FM radio stations and the printing press of one daily newspaper.
– Confiscation of the equipment of one radio station.
– Warning by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to a daily newspaper that action may be taken under the recent amendments to the law if the paper does not follow “certain parameters in reporting news and views”.
– Appointment of government officials to monitor the contents of 21 newspapers.
– Attacks, detention and arrests by law enforcement agencies of journalists covering protests against the imposition of the state of emergency.
The organisations note that these actions referred “are incompatible with the existence of a free media and present a picture of an alarming deterioration in the freedom of expression environment in Pakistan”
The international freedom of expression organisations have urged President Musharraf to immediately withdraw the Provisional Constitutional Order(PCO) and the State of Emergency and to also withdraw recent amendments to the laws relating to print and electronic media that place unacceptable restrictions on media in Pakistan. They have also urged an immediate end to all restrictions on the broadcasts by private television channels and radio stations, and to end the harassment of journalists and media organizations.
Other organisations that have signed on to the letter include the Cartoonists Rights Network, United States; Initiative for Freedom of Expression, Turkey; Africa Free Media Foundation, Kenya; Bahrain Centre for Human Rights (BCHR); Centro de Periodismo y Ética Pública (CEPET), Mexico; Ethiopian Free Press Journalists’ Association (EFJA); Institute for Reporter Freedom and Safety (IRFS),Ukraine; National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ);Independent Journalism Center(IJC), Moldova; Media Rights Agenda (MRA), Nigeria; Norwegian PEN; Azerbaijan Institute of Mass Information (IMI) and PEN American Centre.
ENDS/PPF
Source: PPI
Date:11/13/2007
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