Restrictions on media freedom unacceptable: CPNE
Slams govt attempt to control editorial policy through official advertisements
PHOTO: REUTERS
LAHORE:
The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), while terming the freedom of media situation in the country as worsening, has called restriction on freedom of expression a blatant violation of basic human rights. It has also expressed concern that a policy of withholding official advertisements on the basis of editorial policy had been initiated and that it also had strong objections on the government’s proposed Advertising Policy Draft, adding that it would present suggestions on the draft while protesting against the restrictions on freedom of media.
The decision was made during the Council’s Standing Committee meeting chaired by CPNE President Arif Nizami in Lahore. The meeting reviewed in detail the government’s proposed Advertising Policy Draft and also called for a just distribution of advertisements to ensure the protection of regional and small newspapers. It also demanded that the daily direct and indirect imposition of restrictions and censorship on freedom of expression be stopped forthwith.
The meeting also said newspaper organizations were being subjected to severe and unwanted interference and unreasonable demands, with advertisements in local newspapers of Balochistan and Sindh, in particular, either being completely stopped or greatly reduced in number.
CPNE Secretary General Dr Jabbar Khattak said on the occasion that government advertisements were important not only for large newspapers but local and small ones as well and that, therefore, the formulation of a just policy and procedure was necessary regarding the distribution of advertisements.
It was also said in the meeting that the country’s media currently faced serious problems including severe government interference, financial insecurity of media employees, security issues, and dangers and interference in the performance of journalists’ professional duties.
It was also decided in the meeting that the CPNE would continue its opposition and resistance to restrictions imposed on the media based on nothing but flimsy pretexts.
Calling the policy of trying to control newspapers and editorial policy through government advertisements an outdated and dictatorial tactic used in the past, the meeting also demanded that, prior to holding a dialogue with the CPNE and other stakeholders, the government cease its direct and indirect actions against media freedom.
The meeting was attended by senior CPNE members Sardar Khan Niazi, Muhammad Haider Amin, Anwar Sajdi, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Irshad Ahmed, Hamid Hussain, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Kazim Khan, Yousuf Nizami, Shakil Ahmed Turabi, Abdul Rehman Mangrio, Mumtaz Shah, Faqeer Manthar Mangrio, Bashir Ahmed Memon, Ashraf Malik, Sher Muhammad Khawar, Shamed Zuha Shah, Zubair Mehmood, Zeeshan Bashir and a large number of editors.
The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), while terming the freedom of media situation in the country as worsening, has called restriction on freedom of expression a blatant violation of basic human rights. It has also expressed concern that a policy of withholding official advertisements on the basis of editorial policy had been initiated and that it also had strong objections on the government’s proposed Advertising Policy Draft, adding that it would present suggestions on the draft while protesting against the restrictions on freedom of media.
The decision was made during the Council’s Standing Committee meeting chaired by CPNE President Arif Nizami in Lahore. The meeting reviewed in detail the government’s proposed Advertising Policy Draft and also called for a just distribution of advertisements to ensure the protection of regional and small newspapers. It also demanded that the daily direct and indirect imposition of restrictions and censorship on freedom of expression be stopped forthwith.
The meeting also said newspaper organizations were being subjected to severe and unwanted interference and unreasonable demands, with advertisements in local newspapers of Balochistan and Sindh, in particular, either being completely stopped or greatly reduced in number.
CPNE Secretary General Dr Jabbar Khattak said on the occasion that government advertisements were important not only for large newspapers but local and small ones as well and that, therefore, the formulation of a just policy and procedure was necessary regarding the distribution of advertisements.
It was also said in the meeting that the country’s media currently faced serious problems including severe government interference, financial insecurity of media employees, security issues, and dangers and interference in the performance of journalists’ professional duties.
It was also decided in the meeting that the CPNE would continue its opposition and resistance to restrictions imposed on the media based on nothing but flimsy pretexts.
Calling the policy of trying to control newspapers and editorial policy through government advertisements an outdated and dictatorial tactic used in the past, the meeting also demanded that, prior to holding a dialogue with the CPNE and other stakeholders, the government cease its direct and indirect actions against media freedom.
The meeting was attended by senior CPNE members Sardar Khan Niazi, Muhammad Haider Amin, Anwar Sajdi, Dr Jabbar Khattak, Irshad Ahmed, Hamid Hussain, Ghulam Nabi Chandio, Kazim Khan, Yousuf Nizami, Shakil Ahmed Turabi, Abdul Rehman Mangrio, Mumtaz Shah, Faqeer Manthar Mangrio, Bashir Ahmed Memon, Ashraf Malik, Sher Muhammad Khawar, Shamed Zuha Shah, Zubair Mehmood, Zeeshan Bashir and a large number of editors.