Pakistan Broadcasters Association has strongly condemned the off airing of Aaj, ARY and Geo channels in Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur and Nawabshah on Saturday evening. The crude method adopted to deny the viewers in these cities the right to be informed about the legal and political developments in the country are indeed deplorable, says a press release issued by PBA.
Political forces as well as other opinion forming bodies access to public, through the media, is a right which PBA members respect. But at the same time, said PBA, media must be allowed the journalistic freedom to prioritise the news and events and should not be coerced and intimidated to seek more space than deserved, through such acts, which bring nothing but a bad name to perpetuators of such actions and also damage democratic forces in the country.
PBA recalled that this is not the first time that cable operators have been forced to off air channels in Pakistan, with the regulatory body Pemra, conveniently standing on the sidelines helplessly and passing the responsibilities for such blatant action on other.
PBA members once again reiterate their commitment to fair, objective and balanced reportage and plead with all political forces to show respect for freedom of expression guaranteed under the Constitution of Pakistan.-PR
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