KARACHI, Nov 8: Members of various unions of journalists have decided to observe a ‘black day’ on Friday against the imposition of emergency in the country, a ban on private news channels and restrictions on the press.

PFUJ has demanded immediate withdrawal of all orders, ordinances and laws restricting press freedom.

KUJ has announced it will boycott all official functions and its members will wear black armbands during duty hours on Friday and Saturday to register their protest.

The editorial staff of Dawn on Thursday staged a sit-in to protest against the promulgation of a state of emergency in the country and the Provisional Constitution Order (PCO).

They demanded an immediate return to constitutional rule, lifting of curbs on the media and release of hundreds of illegal detainees.

The KUJ Dastoori group has also declared Nov 9 a ‘black day’. It observed that the Pemra ordinance banning transmission of certain private TV channels was aimed at causing a financial loss to media organisations and punishing the journalist community.