KARACHI: Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) vowing to uphold the freedom of press said it will resist every direct or indirect pressure or step to curb free media.
CPNE made the announcement through a unanimous resolution passed at the annual general meeting presided by Mujeebur Rehman Shami recently, said a statement on Sunday.
Media is facing pressure from non-state actors, political and religious groups and extremists, but the government has done nothing to control the situation.
The resolution said that the struggle for free media in Pakistan is a golden chapter in the history of the country and to keep it independent the journalists and media houses continue to offer physical and monetary sacrifices.
Many journalists have even sacrificed their lives for the sake of free press. Even then some political parties continue media-bashing and targeting journalists.
The resolution took exception to Imran Khan’s criticism on media, calling it a slander campaign that is being seen with grave concern in the journalistic circles.
CPNE said Imran Khan’s remarks generalizing every journalist and media house have threatened the freedom of press and democratic norms.
The meeting noted that if Imran Khan has any complaint against a media house or a journalist, he should send it to CPNE which, being a representative body of editors, will investigate the matter threadbare.
CPNE said it believes in high journalistic values and discourages irresponsible acts in the name of free media. Similarly CPNE also retains the right to give fitting reply to attacks by political and religious groups.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 24th, 2014.
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