PFUJ urges authorities not to target Dawn

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 20 May 2018

The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has raised concerns over the Press Council's notice targeting Dawn. They emphasize the importance of media freedom and oppose attempts to limit journalistic expression.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has expressed concern over a notice served by the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) on Dawn for what it called was violating the Ethical Code of Conduct by publishing an interview of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.

PFUJ president, Afzal Butt (pictured) and Secretary General Ayub Jan Sarhandhi have urged the authorities not to interfere with the media’s right to report fairly.

The union leaders in a joint statement said PFUJ was concerned that the newspaper's circulation was also subjected to arbitrary curbs.

They noted, "there is no evidence to suggest that Dawn has undermined Pakistan's sovereignty or integrity under the PCP Ordinance 2002 by publishing an interview with the former prime minister speaking on the record.”

They described these moves as harassment of the media. "Such curbs are tantamount to press harassment and only chip away further at the shrinking space for freedom of expression," the PFUJ said. - A PFUJ statement/Photo: Facebook