LAHORE: More than 50 journalists, including editors and columnists, media persons and media freedom organisation representatives in Pakistan and abroad have signed a petition against curbs on media in the country in recent days.

Initiated by journalist Beena Sarwar, the petition states that the signatories were seriously concerned over some recent actions.

The petition stated that media house managements, under pressure, are dropping regular op-ed columns and removing online editions of published articles and that one media house had even asked its anchors to stop live shows.

It also said that there was a growing trend of news that was “given” or injected into organisations, rather than allowing coverage of real news – incidents that were truly happening, but were either not covered or were taken off air. This was giving rise to an air of ‘self-censorship’ and resulting in violation of the citizens’ right to information.

Some of the signatories are Saleem Asmi, Farah Zia, Hamid Mir, Imtiaz Alam, I.A. Rehman, Husain Naqi, Zahid Hussain, Kiran Nazish and Nusrat Javeed.

Published in Dawn, April 19th, 2018

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Comments (6) Closed

Apr 19, 2018 08:18am

Include my sign too.

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Political connoisseur

Apr 19, 2018 08:39am

Astounding to see how Mr Hamid Mir sign the petition. He was the one who continuously spoke against Dr Shahid Masood, and was acting like defacto powerful person ascertaining that Dr Shahid Masood have only limited time and chance to accept his mistake and plead for mercy, and that if he missed the opportunity he will be punished. Hamid Mir repeated his boosts on a TV program also.He was also repeating his suggestion to Dr Shahid Masood to resign as anchor.Allhamdolillah the memory of people is ever lasting. They know you are a biased & prejudiced to anchor like Dr Shahid Masood, who is more appreciated by viewer than Hamid Mir.

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SHAHID SATTAR

Apr 19, 2018 08:55am

It is commendable that someone has taken the task of the restrictions being imposed upon the media by the powers that be in different ways. The problem remains of the mindset of some journalists and media persons of creating hatred towards their own contemporaries and some other institutions for their own personal reasons. It is a deplorable act and must be discontinued forthwith by any one engaged in the same. Someone should teach the media people about ethics before they join these professions, both print and vocal.

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JA-Australia

Apr 19, 2018 08:57am

Mainstream media has lost all credibility. People are tired of selective 'reporting' and opinionated rants. This is true around the world.

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Zahid

Apr 19, 2018 09:11am

Curbs on media are not good. Truth will come out through social media

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Safdar ali

Apr 19, 2018 02:35pm

Recent action of controlling news channels should be condemned and if something is not done about it, we will soon be practically under a martial law.

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