June 06, 2007	Wednesday	Jamadi-ul-Awwal 20, 1428

NEW YORK, June 5: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) on Tuesday expressed alarm over a presidential ordinance that sharply curtails freedom of Pakistani broadcasters to report opposition events.

The ordinance enacted on Monday arms the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) with the power to halt broadcasters’ transmissions, shut down offices, seize equipment and revoke licences. The measure also increases fines for violators of Pemra regulations from Rs1 million to Rs10 million, according to the Associated Press, the BBC, and local media reports.

“This presidential decree is another brick in the wall of censorship that the government is building to shield itself at a time of political upheaval,” said Joel Simon, CPJ’s executive director. “We call on the government to rescind the decree immediately.”

Referring to the blocking of transmissions of some TV channels, he said: “The blocking of these independent broadcasters from cable distribution is naked intimidation. Aaj TV, ARY One TV and Geo News TV must be allowed to resume broadcasting in Pakistan.”