Geo, others mute parts of Nawaz Sharif's speech

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 18 April 2018

Geo Television and other channels complied with a court order by muting parts of Nawaz Sharif's speech at a seminar. This decision reflects ongoing concerns over media freedom in Pakistan.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Geo Television and several other channels on Tuesday muted parts of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s speech at a seminar in Islamabad to comply with a Lahore High Court order.

The court on Monday directed electronic media regulator PEMRA to enforce its regulations to prevent the airing of anti-judiciary content by Sharif and his daughter Maryam Nawaz and decide on all complaints against them within 15 days.

Geo presenter Syed Talat Hussain tweeted: “Geo and other channels mute parts (in fact half of it) of Nawaz’s speech. This sums up the state of media in Pakistan now — and months ahead. This is censorship without regret, remorse or apology.”

There was confusion earlier when the Pakistani media reported the Lahore High Court had banned speeches by Sharif and Maryam. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar clarified that the order does not mention a ban on the two from making statements.

KEY POINTS:

• Geo and other channels muted parts of Nawaz Sharif's speech.
• Lahore High Court directed PEMRA to enforce regulations.
• The ruling aims to prevent anti-judiciary content.
• Confusion arose over a supposed ban on Sharif and his daughter.
• Chief Justice clarified that there is no total ban on their statements.