Human rights body rejects ‘media-gag law’
Members of (SHRDN) have rejected the proposed anti-media law and demanded the federal government to enter into consultations with the media persons before making a law.
In a resolution passed at a meeting of SHRDN the human rights (HR) defenders expressed their serious concern over such oppressed law.
Chaired by Anis Haroon, ex-member of National Commission for Human Rights (NCHR), the participants expressed solidarity with the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) in their campaign against the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) law.
They termed the law against freedom of expression, enshrined in the Constitution of Pakistan.
This law will negatively impact the human rights defenders. It is like suppression of the voice of the vulnerable.
Read More: Sindh opposes media control body
Karachi Union of Journalists General Secretary Faheem Siddiqui said that PFUJ has launched a campaign against PMDA and a march will start from Quetta by end of October which will visit Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Multan, Lahore and Islamabad to mobilise the media persons.
He said every section of society has extended support to the media on this new law.
Those who also spoke on the occasion included Uzma Noorani, Ali Palh, advocate, Zulfiqar Shah, Taj Joyo, Naghma Iqtidar, Shujauddin Qureshi, Jamil Junejo and others.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 9th, 2021.