PTV, not any government's personal property, says Freedom Network official
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 25 November 2020
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Iqbal Khattak of Freedom Network criticized PTV's new chairperson for suggesting biased coverage favoring the government. He emphasized that PTV should represent all Pakistanis, not just the government.Summary
ISLAMABAD—Iqbal Khattak (pictured), Executive Director Freedom Network (FN), has questioned the new chairperson of state-run Pakistan Television Naeem Bokhari, who hinted at blacking out the opposition.
Responding to a reporter's question if the opposition would get equal coverage on PTV, Bokhari remarked, "Not at all; PTV will represent only the government's stance."
Khattak reminded Bokhari in a tweet that PTV was not a personal property of any government. It should be the voice of all Pakistanis instead of being "your master's voice only."
Why @GovtofPakistan is charging me #Rs_35 a month for @PTVNewsOfficial if it is to remain govt's spokesperson, Mr Bukhari? #PTV is not a personal property of any govt. It should be the voice of all #Pakistanis instead your master's only.https://t.co/XG4sgx38LL
— Iqbal Khattak (@khattak63) November 25, 2020
He also said that if PTV were to remain the government's mouthpiece, then why the PTV charged him Rs35 monthly fee.
The fee, raised from Rs35 to Rs100 in April this year, is charged to the consumers through the electricity bills.
In a separate tweet, Freedom Network said it was taken aback by reported remarks of the new PTV boss. "Media must be free to report freely and factually."
The federal government appointed Bokhari as the chairperson and independent director of the PTVC board at the start of the week.
Photo: Twitter.com
@pressfreedompk is taken aback by reported remarks of new @PTVNewsOfficial boss saying the public broadcaster would deny opposition parties any airtime for their criticism of @GovtofPakistan#media must be free to report freely and factually. https://t.co/vaDXOzwEKz
— Freedom Network (@pressfreedompk) November 25, 2020
Key Points
- Iqbal Khattak questions PTV's chairperson on censorship.
- New chairperson suggests limiting opposition coverage.
- Khattak asserts PTV is not government property.
- PTV charging fees raises concerns over impartiality.
- Freedom Network advocates for unbiased media representation.
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