Journalists asked to unite on one platform
Karachi:Speakers at a joint protest meeting reached a consensus that they would not surrender before the authorities and would continue the struggle for the freedom of press.
The consensus was reached at a joint protest meeting of Karachi Press Club (KPC), Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ) and Association of TV Journalists (ATJ) held at the KPC with veteran trade unionist Minhaj Barna in the chair.
The speakers were of the view that collective struggle for the freedom of expression would have a far reaching impact. The speakers emphatically stated that struggle in isolation would be dangerous and that unity between the journalists would yield positive results.
They also said that this was not for the first time that journalists faced challenges in the form of curbs, but they had preferred to be put behind bars rather than compromise on principles.
Barna, speaking on the occasion, recalling the history of the struggles of civil society organisations and journalists asked the audience to unite on one platform to fight the evil forces of the country.
While criticising the imposition of emergency in the country, he appealed for the launching of an organised movement against the tyrants to rid the country from oppressors once and for all. The history of Pakistan, he said, was full of struggle. He commended the KPC for its role played in the past for the truth and democracy and had also gave complete support to civil society organisations.
In a unanimous resolution, it was demanded that owners of both the print and televsion media participate in journalists’ meetings to register their protest against the curbing of the fundamental rights of the people. It further demanded that black flags be hoisted on the office buildings of both print and TV media. Workers, it was added, should wear black armbands during their programmes.
On this occasion various resolutions were put forward condemning imposition of emergency, ban on media which were adopted unanimously. They also demanded that the authorities concerned refrain from imposing a bar on journalists. It further demanded the immediate lifting of the ban on the electronic media and allow its transmission to be relayed.
Expressing grave concern over the crackdown against journalists, political leaders and members of civil society organisations, their immediate release was demanded in addition to the recovery of the missing people as directed by the superior courts.
It also demanded that the emergency and the ban on political activities be immediately lifted, and that the 1973 Constitution and fundamental rights be restored.
At the meeting it was pointed out by the Secretary KPC, Imtiaz Khan Faran, that, while police officials and the bureaucracy was in constant contact with regard to the detained media people, no elected representative had approached any of the journalists to lend a hand.
He, however, said that with the efforts of Governor Sindh, Dr Ishratul Ebad, six of the media people were released.
Source: The News
Date:11/7/2007
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