=> ISLAMABAD (Online)- Pakistan Federal Union of Jour
ISLAMABAD (Online)- Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has urged the Ministry of Information to ensure freedom of the Press prior to February 18, general elections instead of misguiding the people.
PFUJ in a statement said the government should withdraw the two anti Press laws, lift ban on GEO news and GEO Super on cable, stop pressure on TV channels from airing popular TV talk shows and anchors and other demands put forward by PFUJ in its “global campaign.”
Regarding ministry’s stand that there is no ban on GEO news and GEO Super even on cable, the PFUJ asked the GEO and Jang management as well as the cable operators to come out with a statement.
“Our campaign is for the freedom of the Press and its very important that the GEO must come on air. We did not want to engage in debate for the sake of debate,” it said.
Ministry of Information on January 18, issued a statement in response to PFUJ rejoinder on January 17, saying they were waiting for the recommendations from APNS, CPNE and PFUJ, which were agreed on November 22.
“Government must review its own actions after November 22. Journalists were beaten, case was registered against the PFUJ and RIUJ, which has not yet been withdrawn despite minister’s order in the last meeting held with him last month,” it said.
PFUJ did not stop process of negotiations despite government failure to accept the demands and met with the minister on Dec 1, and in the last week of December.
Regarding the Press Council, the PFUJ had informed the minister that the Union’s executive council raised serious objection over the draft and formed a committee to prepare amendments. Prior to the change in the amendments there was no point in sending the names for the council.
PFUJ said equipments of FM-99 was confiscated on November 3, without any legal notice. “Even under the PEMRA law equipment can not be confiscated without giving show cause notice. What happened on Nov 3 against tv channels and FM were without any legal authority,” it said.
PFUJ welcome information minister Nisar Memon’s effort for the appointment of Chairman Implementation tribunal and even his other assurance.
In response PFUJ also stopped protest rallies and confined the campaign to the Protest Camps.
PFUJ reminded the ministry about the non implementation of the commitment made before the two International Mission of International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), which visited Pakistan in February and in November.
“Fair polls not possible without free media and the campaign against pressures on media will continue,” PFUJ stated.
Source: The Nation
Date:1/20/2008
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