Journalists observe black day countrywide
ISLAMABAD: Journalists Friday observed ‘black day’ throughout the country on the call of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) against the imposition of emergency in the country, ban on private TV channels and new curbs imposed on media.
Journalists of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad observed black day on Friday. They (journalists) boycotted all the official functions while black flags were hoisted at the Press Clubs.
The protesting journalists wearing black ribbons on their shoulders staged a protest camp outside the Rawalpindi/Islamabad Press Club camp office. A large number of media persons of the print and electronic media including PFUJ President Huma Ali, PFUJ Secretary General, Mazhar Abbas, RIUJ President, Afzal Bhutt, President Rawalpindi/Islamabad Press Club, Mushtaq Minhas and senior journalists Hamid Mir, Syed Talat Hussain, Naseem Zehra and others participated the protest.
The protesting journalists were chanting slogans as “No to curbs on media”, “No to Pemra Ordinance”, “We want freedom” and “Lift ban on private news channels.” They were also chanting slogans demanding reinstatement of the deposed chief justice and other judges, restoration of Constitution and condemning the government for imposing curbs on media.
Speaking on the occasion the journalists’ leaders vowed to continue struggle for the press freedom and rejected all the curbs on media in this regard. They demanded immediate lifting of ban on the private TV channels and access of the journalists to free information. Furthermore, they announced that the journalists would stage a protest demonstration today (Saturday) in the federal capital that will be started from in front of the Aaj TV office, Blue Area and the protesting journalists would march up to Pemra office.
In Faisalabad, journalists held a protest demonstration in front of Faisalabad Press Club against the imposition of emergency, new curbs on media and crackdown on media persons, lawyers, political activists and civil society members. Most of the protesters had covered their mouths and arms with black cloth as a symbol of press gag.
Addressing the protest rally, Mian Shafique Anjum, President Faisalabad Union of Journalists, Shahid Ali President TV journalists Association, Muhammad Amin, Vice President, News Photographers Association and other senior journalists vowed to continue their struggle against black laws and to protect fundamental rights of the people and media freedom.
Against the amendments in Pemra and PPO ordinance, black day was also observed under the aegis of Khyber Union of Journalists in Peshawar like other parts of the country on the call of PFUJ.
The journalists wore black ribbons round their arms while black flags were hoisted and banners were displayed on the building of Peshawar Press Club. The journalists also boycotted the government functions. The journalists held protest demonstration on Mall Road and protested against the curbs imposed on media.
Journalists also observed black day in Sukkur. In a meeting, the journalists condemned the crackdown on media. In Jacobabad Press Club, District Union of Journalist President Pervez Abro presided over a meeting and condemned the government measures. — Agencies
MULTAN: On the call of PFUJ, the general bodies of Multan Union of Journalist (Barna) and Multan Press Club jointly observed black day to condemn curbs on the media and amendments to the press laws.
A black flag was hoisted on the Multan Press Club building, which would stay there till the withdrawal of emergency and amendments to the press laws. Journalists rejected black laws under the PCO and expressed solidarity with Jang Group Chief Executive Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman.
A joint meeting chaired by Multan Press Club President Shakeel Anjum, demanded immediate withdrawal of the amendments to the press laws and a ban on private national and international television channels.
TOBA TEK SINGH: Journalists here observed a black day on the call of the PFUJ to condemn the curbs on media and closure of private TV channels through cable. They wore black armbands.
CHAKWAL: The Divisional Union of Journalists Rawalpindi and the Chakwal Press Club rejected the newly promulgated Press and Publication Ordinance and demanded its immediate withdrawal.
A resolution was passed in the meeting of the Chakwal Press Club executive committee, which was chaired by chairman Fahim Akhtar Butt. Secretary General Khawaja Babar Saleem presented the resolution.
The journalists expressed solidarity with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and vowed to struggle for the independence of press in the country.
BUREWALA: Journalists observed black day to condemn the curbs on media. They wore black armbands. They said the government had failed in meeting deadline given by them to withdraw the anti-media ordinance.
KASUR: Journalists observed black day against restrictions on private TV channels and raids on the Jang Karachi office. They held a protest meeting that passed a resolution, condemning a ban on the transmissions of Geo and other private TV channels.
SAHIWAL: On the appeal of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), journalists staged a demonstration and wore black armbands against imposition of the emergency. Black flags were hoisted on the press club building at Sahiwal and Harappa.
MAILSI: Media persons here observed black day against the imposition of emergency in the country, a ban on private TV channels and restrictions on the press. They wore black armbands.
A meeting of the Mailsi Press Club was held here, with president Azizullah Shah in the chair. It strongly condemned recent curbs on the media in the name of emergency and amendments to the print and electronic media ordinances.
Source: The News
Date:11/10/2007
” 
” 
” 
” 
” 
