JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 07, 2016
Join our WhatsApp channel
The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate the Indian Journalists Union (IJU) have condemned the Indian government’s decision to ban Hindi news channel NDTV India and News Time Assam for a day on November 9. The IFJ demanded the decision be immediately withdrawn.
On November 2, the Information & Broadcasting Ministry passed an order to prohibit the transmission or re-transmission of NDTV India channel and News Time Assam for one day on any platform throughout India with effect from 00:01 hrs on November 9, 2016 till 00:01 hrs of November 10, 2016. The government invoked Rule 6(1)(p) of the Cable TV Network Regulation Act, which prohibits any program that contains live coverage of any anti-terrorist operation by security forces. This controversial new section was added to the program code in June 2015.
The decision was purportedly taken as NDTV India allegedly violated the Cable TV Act by revealing ‘strategically sensitive details’ while covering the terrorist attack on the Pathankot air base in January. A rule of the Cable TV Network (Regulation) Act allows government to restrict media coverage that contains live coverage of any ongoing anti-terrorist operation by security forces. However, despite all channels broadcasting similar footage, only NDTV India has been served the ban order.
The ban order on New Time Assam is purportedly for its coverage of a child subjected to torture, in which the identity of the child was revealed. However, other channels too had run similar footage.
Commenting on the ban order on NDTV India, IJU President S N Sinha, Secretary General Amar Devulapalli and Press Council of India members K Amarnath and Prabhat Dash in a statement said: “The unprecedented action of the union government reminds us of the dark days of emergency when the media was shackled. This is the first time that the government has used the provisions of the Cable Act to muzzle the media. The government intends to use the ban as a warning signal to other media houses as to what is in the store for them if the official narrative of the government is not accepted.” The IJU demanded the immediate withdrawal of the order and pledged its support to NDTV India.
The All India Newspapers Employees Federation (AINEF), in a joint statement by President SD Thakur, Vice President SK Pande and general secretary Balagopalan, called the ‘ban a selective attempt at targeting NDTV’. The AINEF said: “We express solidarity with the movement against the ban, which is ominous, unprecedented and an attack on freedom of the press. It is indeed arbitrary and a colorable exercise of power by the authorities to muzzle the press.”
The IFJ said: “The IFJ condemns the Indian government’s ban order on NDTV India and News Time Assam for a day, which it believes is a violation of press freedom. Referring the alleged violations of the program codes to the News Broadcasting Standards Authority (NBSA), an independent self-regulatory body would have been more in keeping with the spirit of professional peer review. The government’s arbitrary decision should immediately be withdrawn.” - IFJ media release
May 20, 2025: Popular journalist Imran Riaz Khan advises subscribers to use VPN as Pakistan plans to ban several YouTube channels including his with 5.86 million followers.
May 19, 2025: CPJ urges Pakistan to restore Ahmad Noorani’s blocked YouTube channel and stop harassing his family. The journalist could face three-year jail under cybercrime laws amid escalating media crackdown.
May 15, 2025: Dawn faces backlash for publishing ex-CJ Qazi Faez Isa's op-ed, accused of undermining democracy and aiding election rigging. Politicians and journalists condemn the move.
May 12, 2025: PFUJ pays tribute to journalists flogged under General Zia’s martial law in 1978, vowing to resist modern censorship and uphold press freedom in Pakistan.
May 09, 2025: In a bizarre media meltdown, Indian TV channels declared war on Pakistan, claimed imaginary victories and pushed fake narratives—leaving even Indian viewers stunned and apologetic.
May 05, 2025: India has banned prominent Pakistani journalist Rana Mubashir’s YouTube channel, expanding its crackdown on 16 other Pakistani media outlets. The move follows accusations of "false narratives" against India.
May 03, 2025: Pakistan's press freedom under severe threat as PFUJ condemns repressive laws and systematic journalist harassment on World Press Freedom Day. Union reports journalist killings, financial targeting, and government failure to implement safety measures.
May 02, 2025: Dawn has strongly denied publishing any report claiming that TTP stole a PAF F-16 fighter jet, labeling the viral screenshot as fake and digitally manipulated.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.