THE reported ban by the federal government on government advertising in Dawn itself deserves to be banned. The Supreme Court should take notice of one of several recommendations made to this effect by the Media Commission appointed by the Supreme Court itself in 2013.

After a comprehensive study, the report of the media commission (chaired by the distinguished former supreme court Justice Nasir Aslam Zahid and of which this writer was the sole member who had the privilege of writing the report’s text), on page 145 of the published version stated: “that the existing centralized advertising control policy operated through the Press Information Department be abolished…”.

The report defined alternative modes for the placement of government ads on a non-discriminatory basis through a declared policy strictly on the basis of merit (eg. circulation), relevance and accountability.

This writer sometimes strongly disagrees with some of Dawn’s views, specially on political-military aspects, yet one equally strongly condemns the use of government ads as a coercive measure to punish a newspaper for its policy. Apart from a violation of constitutional principles and the government’s own declared policy of support to freedom of expression and media, this act is self-defeating. The ban will inflict further pain at a time when the economy, advertising budget cut-backs and other coercive actions are exerting a negative effect on print media.

Dawn will continue to enjoy respect within the country and overseas as long as it sustains its laudable independence and commitment to professional, ethical journalism. Perhaps even more people will read Dawn after the ban, on paper and on its website.

The Supreme Court should take suo motu notice of this action and order its reversal.

Senator (R) Javed Jabbar
Former Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 12th, 2019

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary’s SOS
Updated 28 Mar, 2024

Judiciary’s SOS

The ball is now in CJP Isa’s court, and he will feel pressure to take action.
Data protection
28 Mar, 2024

Data protection

WHAT do we want? Data protection laws. When do we want them? Immediately. Without delay, if we are to prevent ...
Selling humans
28 Mar, 2024

Selling humans

HUMAN traders feed off economic distress; they peddle promises of a better life to the impoverished who, mired in...
New terror wave
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

New terror wave

The time has come for decisive government action against militancy.
Development costs
27 Mar, 2024

Development costs

A HEFTY escalation of 30pc in the cost of ongoing federal development schemes is one of the many decisions where the...
Aitchison controversy
Updated 27 Mar, 2024

Aitchison controversy

It is hoped that higher authorities realise that politics and nepotism have no place in schools.