Media watch: Judiciary, government and media

Media looks at the series of events that took place Thursday night at the Supreme Court.

Media watch is a daily round-up of key articles featured on news websites, hand-picked by The Express Tribune web staff.

Crisis at the SC

That there are tensions between the government and the superior judiciary is undeniable, and if a news organisation has a story of public interest regarding the perceived judiciary-executive ‘clash’ then it has a right, even a duty, to broadcast or publish the story. But there are journalistic responsibilities, too, and those include needing to be reasonably sure of the veracity of allegations that are to be made public. (dawn.com)

No smoke

The waters remain rocky – with the hearing on the matter adjourned till October 18. The tension mounting for days has now risen high. Lawyers are agitated. It is not hard to see a fiercer clash ahead between institutions. The rounds of sparring are heading towards what may be a climatic showdown. The government's refusal to abide by SC orders has led it into an extremely unstable patch of territory. (thenews.com.pk)

A defining moment

In fact, the government has taken the demand for constantly seeking more time to a fine art of political machination. Many legal minds feel that a few contempt of court orders many[sic] also be required to put an end to the public abuse of the judiciary by government loyalists. (nation.com.pk)

Media’s rumour mongering

Unfortunately, the media group from where these rumours originated, through its opinion pieces presented as news items and highly partisan anchors, has time and again attempted to provoke the judiciary to declare the president illegal and dismiss the government. (dailytimes.com.pk)