KARACHI: September 19, 2019: Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) standing committee out rightly and unanimously while rejecting the Media Tribunals proposal warned government to refrain from making such dictatorial and black laws.
This was observed during CPNE’s Standing Committee Meeting and a dialogue held on Media Tribunals, organized by CPNE on Thursday at its Karachi secretariat, which was attended by Senior Editors from all over Pakistan and the representatives of political parties.
Standing Committee observed that any attempt to curb media would not be accepted and extreme action would be taken and government would be responsible for it.
CPNE will issue detailed handout on Friday regarding future strategy.
CPNE meeting resolved that all stakeholders including All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association PBA, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and others would be consulted and joint struggle would be launched against discriminatory media tribunals.
Mr. Arif Nizami, president CPNE said discriminatory tribunals were not acceptable in any way as we understand such idea contrary to the fundamentals of media freedom as well as democracy.
“Such attempts will be considered attacks on media freedom and a part of continued efforts to curb press freedom, which will be resisted” he further added.
He said that we were satisfied that a prime minister who had come through political process would definitely take steps for media freedom but unfortunately our expectations did not turn true.
“We got media freedom after a long struggle and sacrifices, so it could not be compromised any way” Mr. Nizami observed.
He told meeting that he would contact all stake holders including APNS, PBA, PFUJ for the cause of media freedom and he was confident that discriminatory idea of media tribunals would be taken back.
Syeda Shehla Raza, Sindh Minister Women Development and PPP leader said PPP chairman had already rejected media courts; therefore we should remind prime minister that such acts were against media freedom as he always understand things at later stage.
She said PPP would oppose such move in parliament because PPP believes in democracy and free press.
Jamal Siddiqui, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) member Sindh Assembly observed that PTI believed in democracy and media freedom and they would continue supporting free press.
He said if there were weaknesses in proposed Media Tribunals, then CPNE should share their recommendations and, those would be incorporated but at some point we need regulations.
Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz’s Sindh president Shah Muhammad Shah in his hard words remarked that present government was worse than martial laws and its civilian like dictatorship.
He said PMLN would stand for media freedom and would oppose media tribunals at all forums including the parliament.
Dr Jabbar Khattak, Secretary General CPNE said discriminatory laws should be challenged at all forums and CPNE would ally with all stake holders for the elimination of media tribunals.
He said there will be no compromise on media freedom and members of parliament should fulfil their duty to oppose such discriminatory laws.
Issued by
CPNE.
