Pakistani journalist killed in mosque clashes; three others wounded
New York, July 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of Javed Khan, a photographer for the Islamabad-based daily Markaz and a cameraman for U.K.-based DM Digital TV. Khan was shot in the chest and neck on Tuesday while caught in crossfire between government forces and the students of Lal Masjid (Red Mosque)…
CPJ calls on Pakistani government to drop complaint against 200 journalists
New York, June 5, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed that Pakistani police have filed a complaint against roughly 200 journalists on charges of defying a ban on political rallies. CPJ calls on the government to immediately withdraw the cases, which were announced today, and to stop its pattern of intimidation against journalists. The…
Pakistani government moves to silence broadcasters
New York, June 4, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by a presidential ordinance enacted on Sunday that gives the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) the power to halt broadcastersí transmissions, close offices, seize equipment, and revoke licenses. The measure also increases fines for violations of PEMRA regulations from 1 million rupees (US$16,665)…
Amid growing political dissent, Pakistan aims to curtail live TV coverage
New York, June 1, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about reports that the Pakistani government will seek to restrict live television broadcasts of anti-government demonstrations. The reports, from several local news outlets and sources, come as news outlets face increasing official pressure for covering the street demonstrations sparked by President Pervez Musharraf’s ouster…
CPJ condemns assault on Pakistani journalist
New York, May 18, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists is alarmed by the continuing escalation of attacks on journalists amid Pakistan’s deteriorating security situation. The latest incident is an assault on Shakil Ahmad Turabi, editor-in-chief of the South Asian News Agency (SANA), in Islamabad. Turabi was pulled from his car and beaten in a commercial…
Concern in Pakistan as Supreme Court threatens to stifle news coverage
New York, May 10, 2007—The Pakistani Supreme Court should immediately withdraw the alarming press directive issued on Wednesday that is designed to stifle coverage of a controversial issue involving the court, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. The court warned print and electronic media to avoid “any interference” in the high-profile dispute over the…
Photographer killed, three other journalists injured in Pakistan attack
New York, May 3, 2007—The Committee to Protect Journalists mourns the death of freelance photographer Mehboob Khan, who was killed in an April 28 suicide bomb attack aimed at Interior Minister Aftab Sherpao. The minister escaped with minor injuries, but 28 people died in the attack at a political rally in the small town of…
In Pakistan, another TV station said to be shuttered
New York, April 26, 2007— Government regulators have ordered Royal TV off the air after its coverage of recent demonstrations concerning the dismissal of the chief judge of the country’s top court, the station said in a statement Wednesday. The largely Urdu-language station ordinarily broadcasts by satellite to the capital, Islamabad, and to nearby Rawalpindi,…
CPJ urges Pakistani president to halt recent government harassment
Dear President Musharaff: As Pakistanis prepare for elections and a possible change of national leadership in the coming months, the Committee to Protect Journalists calls on you to reverse the government’s recent anti-press actions and allow for greater public criticism of your administration in the media. Government harassment through legal, financial, and physical attacks on media houses runs contrary to your often-repeated claim of fostering a free press in Pakistan.
In Pakistan, a media group cries foul over government advertising
CPJ’s Bob Dietz discusses the situation in Pakistan. (mp3). New York, March 27, 2007— The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about a deteriorating media environment in Pakistan that includes both business retaliation and outright attacks on media companies.