LAHORE: Media workers staged a demonstration on Monday outside the Punjab Assembly in protest at the suspension of two TV channels’ licenses and a fine on another by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra).

Office-bearers and members of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Punjab Union of Journalists, Lahore Press Club, Electronic Media Reporters Association and Electronic News Cameramen Association gathered at Charing Cross at around 3pm. From there, they marched on the Punjab Assembly gate and staged a sit-in there.

No member from the treasury or the opposition visited the protesters while reporters covering the assembly session boycotted the proceedings and joined the sit-in.

PFUJ President Rana Azeem said journalists and media workers organisations would continue holding protests outside the Punjab Assembly till Dec 1.

Pemra had on Nov 19 issued notices to Neo TV, Din News and Such TV for telecasting irresponsible contents and on Nov 26 suspended the licences of Neo TV and Din News for some period. A fine of Rs1 million each was also imposed on the three channels.

Published in Dawn, November 29th, 2016