June 03, 2007	Sunday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 17, 1428

KARACHI, June 2: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) met on Saturday to review the recent restrictions imposed on television channels by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Attended by representatives from Geo TV, ARY Digital, Aaj TV, Dawn News, KTN, TV One, Hum TV, Apna Channel and Dhoom TV, the meeting termed the move an attack on the constitutional right to freedom of expression, said a press release issued by the association.

The meeting’s resolution said the government’s commitment to a free media is currently undergoing a severe test, and the regime should be able to absorb criticism in the larger national interests, according to the handout. Putting curbs on objective news coverage amounted to denying the right to carry out professional duties in the public interest, it said, adding that the granting of selective and conditional freedoms can be a dangerous tool and the regulatory directives will deprive the public of their basic constitutional right of access to news.

The resolution said that the audience must learn to differentiate between right and wrong, because a void will allow the spread of destructive rumours.

The PBA said that while it has always respected the armed forces, the fact that the Chief of Army Staff is in government sometimes brings the institution under debate. Nevertheless, it has never been any PBA member’s desire to bring the army into any disrepute, said the handout.

Despite having reservations about the Pemra rules and laws, the PBA has respected them and has always worked within the ambit of the Constitution. PBA has called for amendments in the Pemra rules and laws and will continue to work towards this end.