Safeguarding rights: Broadcasters’ association adopts protection policy
Since 2007, electronic media has been facing either complete or partial closures.
Since 2007, electronic media has been facing either complete or partial closures.ince 2007, electronic media has been facing either complete or partial closures. PHOTO: CREATIVE COMMONS
The Pakistan Broadcasters’ Association (PBA) announced that it would unanimously adopt a Media Protection Policy during a board meeting on Monday.
According to a press release, since 2007, electronic media has been facing either complete or partial closures and shut downs either throughout the country or in particular areas to curb independence of media “when certain advice by pressure groups is not entertained due to independent editorial policy.”
“When faced with illegal closures, broadcasters are left with no avenue of addressing the problem immediately. The government as well as Pemra and federal and provincial law enforcing agencies are seldom forthcoming in offering any help to broadcasters,” the statement read.
Against this background, Pakistan’s “broadcasters have united to safeguard viewers’ right to know.” “Now no channel can be illegally shut without repercussion of collective exposure, collective boycott and collective legal action,” the statement concluded.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 9th, 2013.