Media bodies, HRCP discuss gagging of press, pressure tactics

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 December 2019

A meeting comprising major media bodies in Pakistan addressed the alarming increase in press freedom violations. Concerns were raised about the government's use of pressure tactics against journalists and media outlets.

Summary

ISLAMABAD — A joint meeting of Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) and Pakistan Bar Council (PBC) was held in Islamabad with veteran journalist M. Ziauddin (pictured) in the chair.

The meeting discussed the issues of media gagging and pressurizing tactics against media houses, press and media advisories, uncalled-for censorship, and threats to journalists and media workers in the country. The house discussed the situation in detail and expressed grave concern about the growing incidents of such unlawful and unconstitutional acts.

The meeting termed the situation alarming and dangerous for press freedom and expression of speech, which is guaranteed under Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan. The participants urged the government and authorities to take appropriate steps and measures to deal with the situation and find out the unknown groups who use pressure tactics against the press without any reason.

The meeting recalled that such acts might harm and tarnish the country’s image abroad. As the country is already under FATF scrutiny, therefore urgent and immediate measures are needed to deal and control the aggravating situation. Those who attended the meeting agreed that a foundation document on press freedom be prepared within ten days and tasked veteran journalists – I.A. Rehman, M.

Ziauddin, and Zohara Yousaf to develop the basic draft. Among others the meeting was attended by President APNS Hameed Haroon, Asif A.

Zubairi, Secretary-General PBA Duraid Qureshi, CPNE’s Sardar Khan Niazi, Yahah Khan Sadozai and Shakeel Turabi, Vice President PBC Syed Amjad Shah, HRCP’s Khursheed Khan and Sadia Bukhari, PFUJ’s former president Afzal Butt, PFUJ President Shehzada Zulfikar and Secretary-General PFUJ Nasir Zaidi.

KEY POINTS:

• Joint meeting held by PFUJ, HRCP, and other media bodies in Islamabad.
• Discussion focused on press freedom and censorship issues in Pakistan.
• Participants called for government action against unlawful pressure tactics.
• Urgent measures needed due to FATF scrutiny that affects the country's image.
• Foundation document on press freedom to be prepared in ten days.