Media in June 08

In June 08, 20 incidents of abuses against media were reported in national print media. In two incidents of Arrest, 26 journalists were among victims. The arrest of 25 local journalists in the Taliban-dominated Mohmand Agency's adjoining Tehsil Shabqadar of Charssada district sunk into controversy as news personnel say police arrested them on charges of interviewing one of the commanders of Islamic militia, Abu Hanifa. The police termed the incident a row between journalists and WAPDA. In Tangwani, Khandkot police arrested district reporter Khabrain/ Channel 5 Daleep Kumar Thakar in a fake case.
 
 Statistics of Abuses against Media in Pakistan	
June 08	
Area of Incidents	Killing 	Abducted/	Assault/ Injured 	Intimidation 	Attack on media property 	Restrictions/	Total 	
		Arrests 				Bar /Censor 		
Islamabad	0	0	1 (1) 	2	1	1	5	
Punjab	0	0	4 (9)	3	1	0	8	
Sindh	0	1 (1)	0	1	0	0	2	
NWFP	0	0	1 (1) 	1	0	0	2	
Balochistan	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	
Tribal Areas	0	1 (25)	0	1	0	0	2	
AJ&K	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	
 (Category wise total	0	2 (26) 	6 (11)	8	2	2	20	
*(Bracketed figures indicate victims) 

In national press six incidents of Assault/Injured were reported in which 11 journalists were abused. Khabrain reporter Muzmil Syed and other journalists were attacked by staffers of Poly Clinic hospital Islamabad, they brutally tortured Muzmil Syed. In Multan, more than 50 assailants attacked the bureau offices of two private TV channels Koke and APNA, ransacked the office and injured a reporter. Seven New Town Police Station policemen were arrested for allegedly torturing a reporter Syed Essa Hassan Naqvi from Geo English. Journalists staged a boycott of the Punjab Assembly proceedings after a private television channel’s reporter and cameraman were tortured by cops outside the assembly premises. In Multan, dozens invaders ransacked press club building, 25 people were injured including photographers Atif Anwer, Sohail Bhatti, Qasier. Row began when two photographers were severely beaten by Multan Institute of cardiology staffers headed by deputy MS. In Dera Ismail Khan, press club held an extraordinary meeting to protest the torture against journalist Zia ul Haq Paracha, he was victimized and his motorcycle was burnt by provoked mob. 

Eight incidents of Intimidation were reported in national print media. Geo Television was ordered to quit Dubai within 48 hours, according to United Arab Emirates (UAE) sources. The UAE authorities cancelled all the visas of Geo TV staffers and ordered them to leave within 48 hours. Geo Television President Imran Aslam told Reporters Without Borders that the Dubai authorities had informed him that the station would lose its licence if “Capital Talk,” a show hosted by Hamid Mir, and “Meray Mutabek,” hosted by Dr Shahid Masood, were not taken off the air. “The order is inexplicable,” said Geo sources. The government attempted to maintain secrecy on the peace accord it signed with the Utmanzai tribes in North Waziristan by incorporating a clause declaring that sharing the agreement’s contents with the media violates the terms laid down in the document. Punjab Governor Salmaan Taseer observed that if the media does not hold self accountability, this industry would face a decline very soon. Media should shun the policy of criticism for the sake of criticism and it should depict the other side of the mirror as well. The All Pakistan Newspapers Society criticized a statement by the PFUJ and APNEC opposing any amendment to the Newspaper Employees Condition of Services Act and ruled out negotiations with employees’ representatives in the wake of the statement. Taking a strong notice of barring the media men and photographers from performing duties, the Crimes Journalists Forum (CJF) warned of boycotting the official functions of the NWFP Police if the situation did not improve. Media persons boycotted the inaugural ceremony of the online Complaint Centre as PML-N Parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan turned up at the venue four hours late. Reporters from both the electronic and print media had to wait for over four hours. Qila Gujjar Singh police Lahore failed to arrest the murderers who shot at and injured a journalist Kashif Latif outside the Lahore Press Club a week ago. Journalists boycotted the speech of US ambassador and football match to protest the rude attitude by US security officials.

In two incidents of Attack on media property, five unidentified men stole ARY One World’s Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) vehicle at Tanol near Islamabad, while it was enroute to Islamabad from Peshawar after covering the NWFP budget session. Dozens people attacked the press club Multan building and injured more than 25 persons. Invaders ransacked the building and damaged furniture. 

In incidents of Restrictions/Bar, Geo TV viewers were once again deprived of their favorite talk show the ‘Capital Talk’ as the channel went off the air in most areas of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Journalists were not allowed to enter AJK legislation assembly building to cover the session. Police officials told that due to high security no one can be allowed to enter. 

In Media related developments, PPP-led government put an unannounced and partial ban on President Pervez Musharraf's coverage on PTV and Radio Pakistan, the state-run-media.  "The partial ban started with the coverage of Pervez Musharraf's last media conference, and he may face more restrictions in getting projection on the state-run television and Radio in the days and the weeks to come."  The Aiwan-e-Sadr conveyed a complaint to Information Minister for not giving proper coverage to President Pervez Musharraf on the state-run TV. According to sources, the Presidential Spokesman, Maj Gen (retd) Rashid Qureshi, called on the information minister and communicated the president’s concerns to her. Geo News offered to air views of President Pervez Musharraf. The Geo News also showed its willingness to conduct a daily or weekly programme in accordance with the wishes of the president. Ms Sherry Rehman, Minister for Information and Broadcasting said that the PPP government has not blocked the transmission of any TV channel from any source. “Government believes in complete freedom of expression and question of pressurizing or blocking of any channel by the government does not arise”. She made an open offer to the Geo producers and anchors to use PTV services live and without any editing until such time as they can re-start or relocate. Leader of House in Senate Mian Raza Rabbani strongly rejected that the ruling coalition government had anything to do with the likely banning of the two popular talk shows of the Geo. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), issued licenses to Geo English News, Business Plus, Wikkid Plus, ARY Shopping Channel, Aruj TV and Asset Plus channels. Deputy Speaker National Assembly Faisal Karim Kundi said the live coverage of the Lower House proceedings and some NA Standing Committees will start soon. To help media people during the proceedings of the National Assembly budget session, a committee comprising MNAs and senior journalists was constituted by the Press Information Department. The media remained a hot issue during the Sindh Assembly proceedings as the Speaker made a reference to a news piece. The House criticized the media for not “properly” covering the proceedings and the issue later took a serious turn when Revenue Minister Murad Ali Shah irked journalists. 

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued notice to the Geo television network for “acting in an irresponsible manner and deceiving public at large by running a news ticker about the issue of extension in exemption to capital gains tax (CGT)”. Geo TV demanded an apology from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for alleging that a news item on the network was responsible for causing a drop in the Karachi Stock Exchange Index. Chief Justice Islamabad High Court (IHC) Sardar Mohammad Aslam rejected a plea by a counsel that media be kept away from the court’s proceedings. 

On behalf of the Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Ms. Sherry Rehman, a cheque of Rs one million was presented to Ms. Gulshan Ara, widow of Arif Khan, cameraman of the news channel ARY One World, lost his life in the course of duty while covering the rally of Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto on October 18, 2007. 
Seven-year-old Fareshta Hayat has said she would keep demanding of the government to make a judicial inquiry into the murder of her journalist father Hayatullah Khan. 

The newspaper employees and journalists’ bodies rejected any move to amend the Newspaper Employees Conditions for Services Act (Necosa) and called for the implementation of the Seventh Wage Award. Journalists walked out of Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson’s post match news conference in protest after he tried to dictate rules of the media. 

Renowned political analyst and columnist Dr. Shahid Masood took over charge of Chairman Pakistan Television Corporation. 

Statistics of Abuses against Media in Pakistan	
Since Jan 2008	
Area of Incidents	Killing 	Abducted/	Assault/ Injured 	Intimidation 	Attack on media property 	Restrictions/	Total 	
		Arrests 				Bar /Censor 		
Islamabad	1	0	3	18	1	8	31	
Punjab	0	0	9	11	1	3	24	
Sindh	0	4	3	14	1	1	23	
NWFP	1	1	2	3	0	1	8	
Balochistan	2	2	2	3	0	0	9	
Tribal Areas	1	1	1	3	0	0	6	
North Areas	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	
AJ&K	0	0	0	0	0	1	1	
 (Category wise total	5	8	21	52	3	14	103	

Chronology of incidents in June 08

June 30, 08

Journalists walk out of Lawson’s news conference
	Journalists walked out of Pakistan coach Geoff Lawson’s post match news conference in protest after he tried to dictate rules of the media, “Couples of rules before we start, don’t make statements, ask questions, if someone ask question twice I would not answer. Make question sensible otherwise I won’t answer it.” Lawson then got up and threatened to leave after some journalists question rules. When coach returned to his seat reporters stood up and walked out in protest.

June 29, 08

Multan press club ransacked
	Dozens people attacked the press club Multan building and injured more than 25 persons. Invaders ransacked the building and damaged furniture. In the evening, journalists held protest rally outside press club and urged authorities to take action against perpetrators of attack. According to details, two photographers went to Multan Institute of cardiology for the coverage of demonstration. Both were detained and brutally tortured by deputy MS and his companions. Later they were released on interference from higher authorities and journalists. After the incident photographers captured a guard of the institute of cardiology and tortured him. Later Deputy MS with his companions attacked the press club and injured photographers Atif Anwer, Sohail Bhatti, Qasier and 25 others. Armed persons ransacked the building and damaged furniture. Police rushed to seen and pushed out invaders from press club. Journalists held protest demo and demanded to terminate deputy MS of Multan Institute of cardiology. While MS Multan Institute of cardiology told that deputy MS went to press club for talks to recover guards. 

June 28, 08

Journalist demands justice
	Qila Gujjar Singh police have failed to arrest the murderers who shot at and injured a journalist outside the Lahore Press Club a week ago. The injured Kashif Latif was shifted to Ganga Ram Hospital. His brother-in -law Shahid, accused of injuring him, reached the hospital along with his accomplices and threatened him of dire consequences. Kashif Latif is the son of senior journalist and life member of the press club, the late Sheikh Latif. Kashif has appealed to the Punjab chief minister to order arrest of the accused. The journalist lodged complaints with the Civil Lines and Qila Gujjar Singh police but the police failed to arrest the culprits.
 	 
Journalists boycott against indecent attitude by US security officials
 	Journalists boycotted the speech of US ambassador and football match to protest the rude attitude by US security officials. Minister for sports Najim ud Din requested to end boycott. In Jinaah stadium Islamabad, final match of All Pakistan Women Inter Club Football Tournament held between united club Balochistan and Young Rising Club Rawalpindi. US security staff searched the journalists and on arrival of ambassador two journalists were locked in wash room. Security staff showed harsh behavior to a cameraman. Journalists boycotted the function against indecent behavior by US security staff. Federal Minister for sports requested to end boycott, journalists showed their willingness to cover after the speech of US ambassador.

June 27, 08

MPA, media almost clash
 	The media remained a hot issue during the Sindh Assembly proceedings on Thursday as the Speaker made a reference to a news piece. The House criticized the media for not “properly” covering the proceedings and the issue later took a serious turn when Revenue Minister Murad Ali Shah irked journalists. Only the timely intervention of Information Minister Shazia Marri saved the government from its first conflict with the media. Soon after the recitation from the Quran and Naat, Speaker Nisar Khuhro referred to a news item and directed assembly members to follow the rules and avoid bringing private armed guards into the building and refrain from bringing in guests without passes. Khuhro said that he has directed the assembly secretariat to set up a camp outside the building and MPAs should leave their armed guards and guests there. The Speaker said that he will strictly implement these rules to ensure MPA security. He went on to say that he will not even allow access to the IG Police’s non-uniformed armed guards inside the assembly building. Revenue Minister Shah and Information Minister Marri complained that the newspapers had not given proper coverage to the last day’s assembly proceedings. Referring to a newspaper, Shah said that it appeared that the reporter covering the assembly was unable to write. His remarks irked the journalists sitting in the press gallery and they started planning to stage a walk-out. However, the information minister arrived at the press gallery and defused the situation. She later explained to the members that due to the late start and some technical problems, Wednesday’s proceedings could not get proper coverage. She also said that the revenue minister should not have made such remarks about the press.

June 26, 08

Cops torture media men outside PA
Journalists staged a boycott of the Punjab Assembly proceedings on Wednesday after a private television channel’s reporter and cameraman were tortured by cops outside the assembly premises. Protesting against the highhandedness of the police, journalists staged a sit-in outside the Punjab Assembly and chanted slogans. The Speaker Rana Mashood sent a committee comprising provincial ministers Farooq Yousaf Ghurki and other ministers to negotiate with the journalists for their return to the press gallery. The journalist, however, demanded senior minister Raja Riaz’s presence. Meanwhile, Pakistan Muslim League-Quaid-e-Azam members joined the protest for a short while. Raja Riaz, upon arrival, assured that the policemen involved in the incident would be immediately suspended while cases will also be registered against them. He asked the journalists to end the protest while guaranteeing that no such incident would take place in the future and special Punjab Assembly staff would be deputed outside the assembly premises to ensure that journalists were not treated harshly by the police. 

June 25, 08

People again deprived of ‘Capital Talk’
Geo TV viewers were once again deprived of their favorite talk show the ‘Capital Talk’ as the channel went off the air in most areas of the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi on Tuesday. 
 
Media boycott PML-N leader
                  Media persons boycotted the inaugural ceremony of the online Complaint Centre here on Tuesday as PML-N Parliamentary leader Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan turned up at the venue four hours late. Reporters from both the electronic and print media had to wait for over four hours for the arrival of Mr Khan. The scheduled time for the inaugural ceremony was fixed at 12noon which was delayed at least three times till 3pm. The PML-N leader, who is playing an active role in the affairs of the city district government, did not show any courtesy to offer an apology for the delay in hot and humid weather conditions. Without caring for the guests, Mr Khan immediately after his arrival went into a close-door meeting with the officials. Finally, he addressed the gathering at 4pm. To express solidarity with journalists, a number of lawyers and female representatives of non-governmental organisations walked out of the ceremony and lamented the attitude of the PML-N leader. 
25 journalists nabbed for interviewing Taliban
                  The arrest of 25 local journalists in the Taliban-dominated Mohmand Agency's adjoining Tehsil Shabqadar of Charssada district on Saturday has sunk into controversy as news personnel say police have arrested them on charges of interviewing one of the commanders of Islamic militia, Abu Hanifa. The police have termed the incident a row between journalists and WAPDA. "I along with 25 other journalist friends both from Shabqadar and Charsada have been arrested by DSP Ihsanuddin Khan on instructions of IGP NWFP Malak Navid," said a Shabqadar-based journalist Rehmanullah while talking to this correspondent on phone from Shabqadar police station. He said, "Few days ago, I along with some other newsmen interviewed the Taliban local commander Abu Hanifa. The news when appeared in the newspapers annoyed the law enforcing agencies which resulted in our arrests." Rehmanullah revealed, saying that he had been receiving threats from police to stop giving media coverage to Taliban or get ready to face the music. 

June 24, 08

ASI, 6 cops booked for thrashing journalist
                     Seven New Town Police Station policemen have been arrested for allegedly torturing a reporter from private television channel Geo English and attempting to illegally detain him on Monday. Reporter Syed Essa Hassan Naqvi told Daily Times the men allegedly tried to detain him as he left a snooker club in Commercial Market, and that when he told the policemen he was a reporter they attacked him, leaving him with a bloody nose. Naqvi said the police officials then took his mobile phone while he was trying to call government officials to report the incident, and subsequently detained him. Police sources told Daily Times that Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Imran and police constables Yasir Mehmaud, Rashid, Salahuddin, Adnan, Abdul Ghafar and Kaleem had been arrested and the alleged incident was being investigated. The men in question have been suspended and a first information report (FIR) has been lodged against them by the city police officer and deputy superintendent of New Town Police Station. Investigation Officer (IO) Muhammad Ajmal has ruled out possibility of police torture and termed the incident a ‘scuffle’, but said that the police were still investigating the torture allegation. He said the arrested policemen had been sent before a judicial magistrate who had placed them on judicial remand. 

CJF warns to boycott NWFP police functions
                       Taking a strong notice of barring the mediamen and photographers from performing duties, the Crimes Journalists Forum (CJF) has warned of boycotting the official functions of the NWFP Police if the situation did not improve. Several photojournalists and reporters who were invited to attend a press conference in connection with the release of 16 Christian community members were denied entry into Malik Saad Shaheed Police Lines here Sunday. The CJF president Javed Aziz Khan and general secretary Imran Bukhari, while condemning the incident, warned of boycotting the official functions of the NWFP Police if the authorities did not ensure that such incidents would not happen in future. They resented such incidents were happening frequently after beefing up of security due to poor law & order in Peshawar and other towns. “The CJF is well aware of the law & order and threats to police, but it condemns such acts against mediamen in the name of security, as the respect for community is more important for the forum.” 

June 22, 08

Dr. Shahid Masood takes charge of Chairman PTV
PTV sacked, new chairman takes over 
Renowned political analyst and columnist Dr. Shahid Masood took over charge of Chairman Pakistan Television Corporation here on Saturday. He will also hold additional charge of Managing Director PTV. Dr. Shahid, who is a doctor by profession, was the Group Executive Director of Geo Network and served ARY network as senior Executive Director. He obtained fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons, U.K and adopted medical profession and worked in Pakistan, Ireland and the U.K. He later got affiliated with media after September 11, 2001. He got scholarship with CNN from Pakistan in 2005 and extensively carried out coverage of three wars including Afghanistan, Iraq and Lebanon which was keenly watched and admired by the people. 

June 20, 08

APNS criticizes PFUJ, Apnec statement
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society has criticised a statement by the PFUJ and Apnec opposing any amendment to the Newspaper Employees Condition of Services Act and ruled out negotiations with employees representatives in the wake of the statement. A press release said: “The APNS expresses its disappointment at the recent announcement by the leaders of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and the All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (APNEC) which reject the necessity of either substantially amending or wholly repealing the Newspapers Employees (condition of services) Act 1973 (NECOSA). “This means that the process initiated in the courts of law by us will be taken to its logical conclusion and that all matters as they stand can only be settled by the decision of the superior courts.” Mr Hameed Haroon and Mr Muhammad Aslam Kazi, the president and secretary-general respectively of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society, further noted the opposition by the PFUJ and APNEC to any amendment or repeal of NECOSA-73 has “effectively quashed the recent government initiative to bring in a negotiated settlement to resolve this fundamental problem. The matter can only be resolved through courts of law”, the senior office-bearers of the APNS said. 

Khandkot police arrested Khabrain/Channel 5 reporter
In Tangwani, Khandkot police arrested district reporter Khabrain/ Channel 5 Daleep Kumar Thakar in a fake case of victimization. He was performing his professional duties in his office when police nabbed him. Journalists’ organizations of Tangwani staged a protest demo against the arrest and urged Regional police officer Sukkur to take notice of police atrocity against journalist. 

NA committee formed for journalists
                    To help media people during the proceedings of the National Assembly budget session, a committee comprising MNAs and senior journalists has been constituted by the Press Information Department. Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman will be the chairperson of the committee while other members are MNAs Khawaja Asif, Samsam Ali Bokhari and Nausheen Saeed. The senior journalist members of the committee are Afzal Butt, Farooq Faisal, Saud Sahir, Mushtaq Minhas and Ashfaq Sajid. PID Deputy Director General Thakur Das will act as a focal person for the press gallery affairs. The committee will also oversee fresh elections of the press gallery. 

June 19, 08

Journalist tortured in DI Khan
In Dera Ismail Khan, Dera press club held an extraordinary meeting to protest the torture against former senior vice president Dera press club Zia ul Haq Paracha. He was victimized and his motorcycle was burnt by provoked mob. Dera press club condemned the torture and asked authorities to take steps for security of media men during performing professional duties. DPO Dera expressed his sorrow over the incident and showed his solidarity for journalists. He assured to provide security to media men and common men. 

Journalists seek 7th wage award implementation
                            The newspaper employees and journalists’ bodies have rejected any move to amend the Newspaper Employees Conditions for Services Act (Necosa) and called for the implementation of the Seventh Wage Award. In a statement on Wednesday, Mazhar Abbas, secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, said any move by the government to amend Necosa would be resisted by newspaper workers and journalists. Earlier in the day, Information Minister Sherry Rehman, during a meeting with a PFUJ delegation and the All Pakistan Newspaper Employees Confederation, revealed that newspaper owners had sought an amendment to the act and they wanted to make the implementation of the wage award conditional on the acceptance of their demand. The minister said the government would convene next month a tripartite conference, to which all stakeholders would be invited. The delegation of the two apex bodies representing newspaper employees comprised, among others, PFUJ chief Syed Huma Ali, Apnec chairman Shafiuddin Ashraf, PFUJ secretary-general Mazhar Abbas and Apnec secretary-general Mohammad Imran. The delegation apprised Ms Rehman and Labour Minister Khurshid Shah about the concern among newspaper employees over delay in the implementation of wage award.The two ministers assured the delegation that the government was committed to implementing the award.

June 18, 08

Private TV channel’s van snatched
ARY DSNG stolen from Islamabad 
Five unidentified men on Tuesday stole ARY One World’s Digital Satellite News Gathering (DSNG) vehicle at Tanol near Islamabad, while it was enroute to Islamabad from Peshawar after covering the NWFP budget session. The men tied the 4 ARY staffers with ropes and left them on the Rawalpindi Westridge Colony roadside, the channel reported. Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani has ordered inquiry into the incident. 

Bureau offices of two TV channels attacked
                       More than 50 assailants attacked the bureau offices of two private TV channels Koke and APNA, ransacked the office and injured a reporter. According to bureau Chief Qamar Zaman, crime reporter Mazhar Muba was brutally tortured; he was admitted to Nishtar hospital. Shift in charge Akthar Shakar and operator was also victimized.