JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 03, 2015
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a letter has asked the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to introduce Right to Information Bill in the next cabinet meeting.
Senate Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage was informed Friday. The committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Senator Kamil Ali Agha at the Parliament House. The committee called the letter from the Prime Minister a good gesture but also asked for absolute commitment that the bill will be laid in the next cabinet meeting. Senator Farhatullah Babar said that the bill has been facing delays for about two years and the matter should be expedited.
Taking note of the percentage of foreign content allowed by PEMRA rules, the committee expressed its dissatisfaction over the actions the regulatory body is taking to punish violators.
The committee was informed by the acting Chairman PEMRA Kamal-u-din Tipu that 10 percent foreign content is allowed under the rules out of which 6 percent can be Indian content.
He said that whenever a violation is noted by the body, notices are issued and fines imposed on respective channels.
The members of the committee, however, were not satisfied by the reply and the chairman committee asked the secretary of the ministry to monitor the working and present a day to day report of these violations within 15 days.
Senator Rubina Khalid said private channels were not broadcasting any program on education of children. The committee asked PEMRA to issue notices to channels not airing content for children and also asked for a report on children content being aired.
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.