Journalists protest against media curbs
PESHAWAR (November 28 2007): Khyber Union of Journalists (KhUJ) Tuesday set up a protest camp against curbs on media imposed by the government after imposition of emergency in the country on November 3.
The curbs imposed after bringing amendments in the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) and Press and Publication Ordinance (PPO) to gag free media resulting in the closure of independent private sector television channels in the country.
The call of protest was given by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), a representative national body of journalists in the country. The camp erected in front of Peshawar Press Club (PPC) has been attended by President, KhUJ, Jan Afzal and secretary general, Nasir Hussein and a large number of local journalists.
The participants of the protest camp chanted slogans against Pemra and PPO Ordinance demanding lifting of restrictions on the media and provision of free environment for journalists.
The camp was visited by representatives of different political parties, social organisations and other walks of life and extended full cooperation to the struggle waged by journalists against curbs.
Those who visited the camp included provincial secretary information PPP, Dr Arbab Alamgir Khan, Mohammad Ibrar Khan, Hakeem Abdul Waheed (Jamaat-e-Islami), Haji Pervez Ahmad, a trader, former MNA, Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali, President, Private Schools Association, Aqeel Razaq, Barrister Waqar, Barrister Syed Mudasir, Fida Gul advocate, Musarrat Hilali and other lawyers.
They expressed solidarity with protesting journalists and condemned restrictions placed by the government against media in the country and extended full support for the ongoing movement of the journalist community.
The participants of the camp called for immediate lifting of the state of emergency imposed by the government in first week of the current month and removal of the hanging sword on free media in the name of PEMRA and Press & Publication Ordinances in the country.
Addressing the protesting journalists, president, KhUJ Jan Afzal and general secretary, Nasir Hussain vowed to continue the struggle till the lifting of curbs on media. The camp would also continue on today (Wednesday) and tomorrow (Thursday).
Source: Business Recorder
Date:11/28/2007
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