Media curbs worry CPNE

President Irshad Arif says unannounced censorship on media reminiscent of the martial law era

KARACHI:

The standing committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has expressed its deep concern over the situation of freedom of expression in the country, as per a statement issued on Friday.

CPNE President Irshad Arif said the unannounced censorship on the media was reminiscent of the martial law era.

He added that instead of protecting the freedom of the media, the interim set-up had adopted a hostile attitude towards it.

The CPNE president said in his meeting with the caretaker PM, he had taken up the issues of the freedom of expression, increase in the rate of advertisements and their fair distribution as well as payment of outstanding dues.

He added that the interim PM directed the caretaker information minister to amicably address the problems faced by the media.

CPNE Secretary General Ejazul Haq said the council was in constant touch with the federal and provincial governments to resolve other issues including newspaper advertisements.

“Our effort is to implement the 35% increase in the rate of government advertisements announced by the previous rulers during the interim set-up’s tenure,” he continued.

Haq welcomed the PM’s instructions to the information minister. He also informed the meeting about the CPNE's steps for the payment of newspapers and magazines’ dues by advertising agencies.

CPNE Senior Vice President Anwar Sajidi, Aamer Mahmood and other office-bearers also attended the meeting.