KARACHI, Jan 25: The standing committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors has rejected the amendment proposed by the government to the draft governing the working of the Press Council, saying that these seek to transform the council into a special tribunal against newspapers.

At a meeting held here on Tuesday under the presidentship of Mr Arif Nizami, the meeting pointed out that the earlier proposed charter of the council was acceptable to all stakeholders: the CPNE, the APNS and the government. Any controversial amendments now would be seen as an attempt to curb freedom of the press.

The meeting, according to a press release, reviewed the existing state of government-press relations and noted with concern the government’s attempt at using advertisements as a lever against the press. It also noted the issuance of press advice by the government, and called for ending the practice.

The meeting asserted that the national press had always acted in a responsible manner and ruled out the need for any extraordinary measures imposed from above. It resolved to take up the Press Council issue with the government.