Mohammad Malick condemns total media muzzling by PEMRA and Punjab government

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 24 May 2024

Mohammad Malick condemned PEMRA's recent ban on onscreen discussions of court cases, perceiving it as a threat to free speech. He also criticized a new defamation law by the Punjab government, arguing that these measures are detrimental to media independence.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—In a controversial move, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has banned any onscreen discussion of ongoing court cases. Media professionals and analysts have criticized the decision severely, viewing it as an attempt to stifle free speech and suppress critical dialogue.

Mohammad Malick, a senior Pakistani journalist and analyst, took to social media platform X to express his concerns. "PEMRA places complete ban on ANY KIND of onscreen discussion of ongoing cases. In other words, don't think, don't question, just accept and suffer in complete submissive silence," the journalist tweeted.

The critique did not stop there; the journalist also lambasted a newly passed defamation law by the Punjab government, labeling it as part of a broader strategy to muzzle the mainstream media.

The tweet highlighted the dangerous implications of such regulations, suggesting that the bans are leading the country towards "total muzzling of mainstream media."

Malick questioned the rationale behind these measures, pointing out the absurdity of assuming that television discussions could influence judicial decisions. "If our superior judiciary's judgements are going to be decided on what someone says on TV then lord have mercy on our judicial system," the tweet read.

In a sarcastic tone, he suggested that PEMRA should request judges to stop watching TV instead of gagging the media to avoid being "misled."

The post underscored the perilous phase of media censorship the country is entering, warning that such suppression only fuels irrational and emotional outbursts on social media platforms. "When you do not allow rational discussions then be ready for irrational emotional abuse in the digital abyss," the journalist concluded.

This outcry from the media community reflects growing fears of Pakistan's increasingly restricted press environment. Critics argue that these measures undermine the role of the media as a watchdog and hinder the public's right to information. The new defamation law and PEMRA's recent ban have intensified the debate over freedom of expression in the country, with many calling for immediate reconsideration of these policies to preserve democratic values and media independence.

Photo: X: @MalickViews