Pakistan courts 'muzzling media': HRW

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 27 November 2012

Human Rights Watch has called attention to the Pakistani judiciary's use of contempt laws to stifle media criticism. The organization warns that these actions threaten free expression and may lead to a perception of the judiciary as suppressive.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan's judges are using contempt of court laws to stop the media from criticizing the judiciary, Human Rights Watch said Tuesday, warning they risked being seen as "instruments of coercion and censorship".

High courts in Islamabad and Lahore have issued a series of orders in recent months seeking to block television shows critical of judges, the New York-based campaign group said.

Last month a judge in Islamabad ordered Pakistan's media regulator to stop television channels broadcasting programs in which the "person of the honorable chief justice of Pakistan and other honorable judges of the superior court are criticized, ridiculed, and defamed," HRW said.

Brad Adams, Asia director at HRW, said judges should not enjoy special immunity from criticism.
"Unless they want to be seen as instruments of coercion and censorship, they should immediately revoke these curbs on free expression," he said. - AFP
 

KEY POINTS:

• Judges in Pakistan are utilizing contempt of court laws against media.
• High courts in Islamabad and Lahore have restricted critical television programs.
• HRW urges the judiciary to revoke these restrictions to uphold free expression.
• Criticism of judges should not be met with censorship, HRW states.
• Recent orders have targeted programs criticizing the chief justice and other judges.