Archives

Study finds female journalists face state and social surveillance

 December 31, 2016: A study reveals that female journalists in Pakistan endure extensive state and social surveillance, impacting their safety and mental health.

Turkey detains prominent journalist over tweets

 December 31, 2016: Turkish authorities have detained journalist Ahmet Sik for tweets and articles criticizing the government, raising concerns over press freedom.

Year of PEMRA bans and fines, fake news, partisan coverage and one big Dawn story

 December 30, 2016: In 2016, Pakistan's media faced bans, fines, and the rise of fake news amid critical incidents impacting journalism and civil-military relations.

93 media professionals killed in 2016: IFJ

 December 30, 2016: In 2016, 93 journalists lost their lives in work-related incidents, highlighting the critical dangers facing media professionals globally.

Geo News anchor Hamid Mir plans to open a media university

 December 30, 2016: Hamid Mir of Geo News announced plans to establish a media university in Balochistan to enhance journalism education.

Interior Minister orders probe into social media campaign against Chief Justice

 December 29, 2016: Interior Minister orders FIA to investigate a social media campaign targeting Chief Justice Saqib Nisar following maliciously shared images.

Journalists demand early federal and provincial laws on their safety

 December 27, 2016: Journalists in Pakistan urge for urgent federal and provincial laws to guarantee their safety and combat impunity against media workers.

Gunmen kidnap Iraqi female journalist

 December 27, 2016: Gunmen kidnapped Iraqi journalist Afrah Shawqi Hammudi in Baghdad, posing as security forces, raising concerns for press freedom in Iraq.

Lahore High Court grants stay to Channel 24 against PEMRA decision

 December 26, 2016: The Lahore High Court has halted PEMRA's ban on Channel 24 following its airing of a controversial audio clip related to Flight PK 661.

Duped by fake news, defence minister Khawaja Asif makes nuke threat to Israel

 December 26, 2016: Pakistan's defence minister Khawaja Asif issued a nuclear threat to Israel after being misled by a fake news report, leading to international clarification.

Geo news gathering van attacked in Islamabad, crew beaten up

 December 26, 2016: Geo Television's news gathering van was attacked in Islamabad, leaving two crew members injured and the vehicle damaged by armed guards.

Former Executive Editor of The Muslim Ghani Jafar laid to rest

 December 26, 2016: Ghani Jafar, former Executive Editor of The Muslim, passed away in Islamabad at the age of 64 and leaves behind three daughters.

Shahbaz Mian re-elected president as Progressive Panel sweeps Lahore Press Club polls

 December 26, 2016: Muhammad Shahbaz Mian has been re-elected as president of Lahore Press Club, leading the Progressive Panel to a decisive victory in the elections.

Dawn for 'sensible new libel law' in Pakistan

 December 26, 2016: Dawn advocates for a new libel law in Pakistan to protect against media malice and ensure justice for defamation cases.

Turkish authorities investigating 10,000 social media users - ministry

 December 25, 2016: Turkish authorities are investigating 10,000 social media users for suspected terrorism support, amid a crackdown that concerns rights groups.

BOL puts troubles behind, switches to regular transmission

 December 25, 2016: BOL News resumes regular transmission after overcoming legal challenges and controversies, celebrating its launch on Quaid-i-Azam's birth anniversary.

Egypt arrests Al-Jazeera journalist for 'false-news'

 December 25, 2016: Egypt arrests Al-Jazeera journalist Mahmoud Hussein, accused of false news and connections to the Muslim Brotherhood amid ongoing crackdowns.

Senior journalist and columnist Anwar Kidwai passes away

 December 24, 2016: Senior journalist Anwar Kidwai passed away in Lahore at the age of 70 due to cardiac arrest, leaving behind a legacy in journalism and literature.

Terence elected President Press Association of Supreme Court

 December 24, 2016: Terence J. Sigamony has been elected as the President of the Press Association of Supreme Court, enhancing representation of court reporters.

Geo-Jang Group set to start campaign after court victory over ARY

 December 24, 2016: Geo-Jang Group is set to launch a campaign after winning a UK court case against ARY, highlighting defamatory attacks by the rival network.

Bitter pill to swallow: ARY broadcasts UK court verdict against it

 December 24, 2016: ARY News had to broadcast a UK court verdict declaring its programs defamatory, resulting in significant damages awarded to Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman.

PEMRA penalizes Channel 24, no transmission from 5pm-12am for seven days

 December 23, 2016: PEMRA suspends Channel 24's license from 5 PM to midnight for seven days following a fake audio clip incident related to PK661.

BOL in seeming trouble over security clearance, PEMRA serves notice

 December 23, 2016: BOL News faces uncertainty after PEMRA serves a notice over lack of security clearance for its directors, jeopardizing its upcoming launch.

Almeida draws criticism after terming Imran 'dictator-in-chief'

 December 23, 2016: Cyril Almeida faces backlash for labeling Imran Khan as dictator-in-chief, igniting debates over media bias and political criticism in Pakistan.

National Press Club elections on January 5

 December 23, 2016: Elections for the National Press Club in Islamabad will take place on January 5, 2017, with important deadlines for candidates set prior to polling.

Geo and BOL trade accusations after Axact official charged in US

 December 22, 2016: Geo and BOL clash over allegations following the charging of an Axact official in a US fake degree scam, raising questions on accountability.

US federal court charges Axact executive in $140m fake degree scam

 December 22, 2016: Axact's executive Umair Hamid faces US charges for his role in a $140 million fake degree scheme impacting thousands of consumers.

Philippines: First journalist killed under President Duterte

 December 21, 2016: The brutal murder of journalist Larry Que raises serious concerns about press freedom under Duterte's administration in the Philippines.

Killing of journalists eases from record levels; Syria remains the deadliest country

 December 19, 2016: The decline in journalist killings in 2016 highlights the importance of combating impunity, though Syria remains the deadliest country for reporters.

Journalist picked up by police in Pakpattan, beaten at unknown location

 December 18, 2016: Freelance journalist Waris Ali Shah was reportedly detained and beaten by police in Pakpattan after exposing corruption within the local police force.

Officials warned not to leak classified information to media

 December 17, 2016: Top officials in Pakistan are warned against leaking classified cabinet information to the media, emphasizing strict communication protocols.

Deadly year in Afghanistan continues: 13th journalist killed

 December 16, 2016: The killing of journalist Mohammad Nasir Mudasir marks the 13th such incident in Afghanistan this year, highlighting ongoing violence against media workers.

PEMRA Council of Complaints recommends Rs1 million fine on Channel 24

 December 15, 2016: PEMRA Council recommends a Rs1 million fine on Channel 24 for airing false statements about Anwar Aziz's wife during the Khara Sach program.

Crime reporter brutally murdered in Myanmar

 December 15, 2016: A crime reporter was brutally murdered in Myanmar, prompting urgent calls for a swift investigation by international journalist organizations!

Turkey 'silencing' independent media: Human Rights Watch

 December 15, 2016: Human Rights Watch accuses Turkey of silencing independent media following the failed coup, citing arrests and media closures as evidence.

Asma Chaudhry set to return to television screen

 December 15, 2016: Asma Chaudhry returns to television on Neo after a six-month hiatus and prepares to launch a new talk show amidst controversies.

Sri Lankan Navy commander assaults journalist

 December 13, 2016: The Sri Lankan Navy commander assaults a journalist at Magampura Port, sparking outcry from media organizations and demands for accountability.

Indian police probe 'politically-driven' Twitter hacking

 December 13, 2016: Indian police are investigating a group suspected of politically motivated Twitter hacking targeting journalists critical of the Modi government.

Turkey tops list of countries detaining journalists: study

 December 13, 2016: Turkey has overtaken all other countries in detaining journalists, with over 100 imprisoned amid a global rise in journalist detentions in 2016.

Algerian journalist jailed for Facebook post dies after three-month hunger strike

 December 12, 2016: British-Algerian journalist Mohamed Tamalt dies after a three-month hunger strike protesting his two-year jail sentence for offending Algeria's president.

PTI leader Jahangir Tareen questions Dawn editorial

 December 11, 2016: PTI leader Jahangir Tareen critiques a Dawn editorial on the Panama commission, asserting PTI's case demands clear answers from the PM.

PTV withdraws order against official accused of harassing female anchors

 December 11, 2016: PTV has retracted its decision to bar an official accused of harassing female anchors after intervention from political contacts.

A string of Agahi Awards for journalists

 December 10, 2016: A diverse group of journalists were awarded at the Agahi Awards ceremony in Islamabad, recognizing excellence in various media categories.

The fake news invasion - take care!

 December 10, 2016: The rise of fake news threatens journalism and public trust, requiring urgent verification efforts in the digital age.

Kenya - British newspaper correspondent detained

 December 10, 2016: The Committee to Protect Journalists urges Kenya to release Jerome Starkey, a detained British correspondent, amid concerns for press freedom.

PTV official barred from entering office for allegedly harassing female anchors

 December 10, 2016: A senior PTV official is barred from office over allegations of sexually harassing female anchors amid ongoing issues of misconduct at the organization.

Notice served on Channel 24 for airing audio of screaming passengers

 December 08, 2016: PEMRA has issued a notice to Channel 24 for broadcasting audio of passengers before the PIA flight PK661 crash, demanding an explanation.

Neo airs apology as week-long ban ends

 December 08, 2016: Neo TV ended its week-long ban with an apology for comments about the judiciary, resuming transmissions after complying with PEMRA's order.

South Sudan - AP reporter deported

 December 08, 2016: Justin Lynch, an AP journalist, was deported from South Sudan after reporting on human rights violations and ethnic violence in the region.

Court indicts four over social media star Qandeel Baloch's death

 December 07, 2016: A court in Lahore indicts four men, including Qandeel Baloch's brother, for her murder, prompting calls for stricter laws against honor killings.

Turkmenistan - Radio journalist arrested, beaten

 December 07, 2016: Turkmen authorities arrested journalist Khudayberdy Allashov, charging him with possessing a banned substance amid claims of police brutality.

BalochistanVoices.com gets started in data journalism

 December 07, 2016: BalochistanVoices.com is the first media outlet in Balochistan to produce a data-driven story, linking employee shortages to governance decline.

Iraq - Radio director gunned down

 December 07, 2016: The murder of radio director Mohamed Thabet al-Obeidi in Kirkuk has drawn widespread condemnation from the International Federation of Journalists.

Standing committee summons Dr Aamir, BOL managers

 December 07, 2016: The National Assembly Standing Committee summons Dr Aamir and BOL News for allegations against JUI (F) head Maulana Fazlur Rehman.

Mayor, two journalists shot dead in Finland

 December 04, 2016: A gunman shot and killed a mayor and two female journalists in a nighttime attack in Finland's Imatra, with no political motive suspected.

Abdul Basit scolds Indian official for trying to stop Pakistani journalists

 December 04, 2016: Abdul Basit, Pakistan's High Commissioner to India, defends Pakistani journalists against an Indian official's attempt to intimidate them.

Neo TV boss defiant in face of PEMRA ban

 December 04, 2016: Neo TV Chairman Chaudhary Abdur Rehman stands firm against PEMRA's seven-day ban, promising to amplify his voice for Pakistan and Kashmir.

Three Express Tribune reporters quit, fourth to follow

 December 04, 2016: Three reporters from The Express Tribune have resigned amid internal uncertainties, hinting at deeper issues within the paper.

Conversation and a 'press release' to remember!

 December 04, 2016: A controversial press release from Pakistan's Press Information Department detailing a call between Prime Minister Sharif and Trump raises numerous questions.

ARY News splits UK feed after court ruling

 December 03, 2016: ARY News has split its UK feed to avoid telecasting ongoing disputes with Geo TV following a significant court ruling on libel damages.

Mubasher Lucman back at Channel 24

 December 02, 2016: Mubasher Lucman is set to return to Channel 24 after an unsuccessful stint at BOL News, bringing back his popular show Khara Sach.

Mir Shakil awarded 185,000 pounds in libel damages

 December 02, 2016: A London court awarded Mir Shakil-Ur-Rahman £185,000 in libel damages after finding ARY Network's broadcasts were calculated to arouse hatred.

Rana Mubashir resigns from Aaj News

 December 02, 2016: Rana Mubashir has resigned from Aaj News after more than two years, leaving behind a notable career in journalism.

Dunya News Television turns 8

 December 02, 2016: Dunya News celebrates its 8th anniversary, reflecting on its impactful journey in journalism and its role in addressing societal issues.

ICIJ terms Panama Papers impact historical

 December 02, 2016: The ICIJ declares the impact of the Panama Papers as historical, highlighting regulatory actions and investigations worldwide.

BOL aims for December 25 launch

 December 01, 2016: BOL News is set to formally launch on December 25, marking a significant comeback for the channel after its troubled past.

Life sentences for nine in murder of Bangladeshi journalist

 December 01, 2016: A court in Bangladesh sentenced nine individuals to life imprisonment for the 2004 murder of journalist Manik Saha, marking a significant verdict in press freedom.