Protests against media restrictions continue
* Journalists, civil society protesters warn emergency rule also discouraging investment
ISLAMABAD: The journalists of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad continued their protest on Sunday against media curbs and the imposition of emergency rule in the country.
The journalists staged a peaceful protest demonstration in front of the offices of a private TV channel shut down by the government at midnight on Friday.
Civil society members and politicians also joined the protest demonstration to express solidarity with the journalists. The protesters condemned the government’s measures against the freedom of electronic and print media.
They chanted slogans against the government and demanded an end to media curbs and emergency rule in the country.
They also expressed their concern over the abduction of Shoaib Bhutta, editor of a local newspaper. They demanded that the administration provide his family and the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists access to Bhutta. They also condemned the arrest of five journalists in Quetta, and asked the government to release the journalists within 24 hours.
They said the government was encouraging security forces to humiliate and detain journalists to threaten the rest of the media.
However, they said the government could not deter them from their struggle for independence and freedom of media in the country.
The journalists said the government was planning to impose more restrictions on media instead of giving it the right to freedom of expression.
They also demanded that the government end emergency rule and restore the deposed judges.
Meanwhile, members of civil society also staged a peaceful protest demonstration at Khayaban-e-Iqbal to press the government to restore the constitution, fundamental rights and freedom of media.
The protesters said they would continue to support the lawyers and journalists struggle for the restoration of the constitution and democracy in the country.
Investment: They said emergency rule was discouraging investment in the country and the resistance against the government policies was increasing with every passing day. They said the government was suppressing the voice of the people to hide its failures.
The participants also raised anti-government slogans. A heavy contingent of police was present on the occasion to avoid any untoward incidence. However, the protesters dispersed peacefully.
Source: Daily Times
Date:11/19/2007
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