Political parties, media organisations, and the civil society have strongly condemned Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) for the issuance of a show cause notice and threat to Aaj TV to close down its operations for its coverage of the reference filed against Chief Justice Mr Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry.
The show cause notice served upon Aaj TV has said that the way news, talk shows, and comments and similar programmes on the crisis in the judiciary are presented have violated Pemra Ordinance 2002.
The notice has asked chief executive officer Aaj TV to explain his position in writing or face legal proceedings leading to cancellation of Aaj TV short-term uplinking license. It is further said in the show cause notice that Recorder Television Pvt Ltd had applied for short term uplinking license to set up a TV channel but Aaj TV has not so far provided the NOC from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting which is needed under Pemra Ordinance 2002 for this license.
Pakistan Peoples Party, Pakistan Muslim League, Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal, non governmental organisations, bar council, journalists from the print and electronic media, and large number of citizens have said that the action of the Pemra tantamount to gagging the press which is fulfilling its obligations toward the civil society.
They said that Aaj had been objective in its coverage throughout and had been bringing, through its impartial coverage of the event, the true story regarding reference taking place in the street, lawyers' chambers and in the corridors of power. It has been depicting the mood of the people against the fatuous decision of the government that hit hard on the independence of the judiciary.
Media cell of the PPP in a statement said that PPP viewed notice served on Aaj TV as attack on the independence of judiciary and freedom of expression. Congratulating the entire staff of the Aaj TV the media cell said that the way Aaj had covered the 'illegal reference against the Chief Justice" deserved appreciation.
PPP would protest against Pemra on this issue during the scheduled ARD protest demonstration at the Empress Market on Tuesday. MNAs of the MMA Liaquat Baloch, Fazle Subhan, Asadullah Bhutto, Secretary information Shahid Shamsi, provincial minister NWFP Wazir Hussein Ahmed Kanjo, and PML (N) leader Ilyas Subhani have also condemned the action.
In a meeting General Secretary of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalist Mazhar Abbas, President Karachi Union of Journalists Shamim-ur-Rehman, President Karachi Press Club Sabihuddin Ghausi, General Secretary of KUJ Javed Chaudhry, President Association of TV Journalists Javed Zia and General Secretary Faisal Aziz Khan and other members of journalist community condemned Pemra for issuing the closure notice to Aaj TV and demanded immediate withdrawal of the show cause.
This meeting adopted three resolutions as well. The meeting demanded that Pemra should immediately withdraw its notice; it should be restrained from taking any action against Aaj TV ; journalists to work for three days wearing black armbands; and, the owners to pay seventh wage board award and help set up eighth wage board award.
Senior journalists have taken serious view of the notice from Pemra and have termed it as suppression of the worst kind of the freedom of the press and have demanded immediate withdrawal of show cause notice.
CEO of ARY Shaheen Sehbai has said that freedom of expression has not been given to media in a begging bowl but it is hard earned and well protected. It cannot be usurped so easily by adventurers; he added and advised the government to avoid confrontation with the press.
In a separate note senior journalist and Editor Daily Times Najam Sethi and Editor daily Pakistan Mujeebur Rehman Shami have blasted government for its unwise act and demanded immediate withdrawal of all notices to Aaj TV . They have asked Pemra to refrain from taking up threatening postures toward independence of the press and its freedom to tell the truth - and show the truth to its audience.
At the Hyderabad Press Club a meeting of electronic Media Association and the Hyderabad Union of Journalists held a meeting and condemned Pemra for its uncivilised and intimidating demeanour toward Aaj TV . They have decided to take out a protest procession on Tuesday from Hyderabad Press Club, which will march up to Radio Pakistan building.
The journalist community of Balochistan met in Quetta and condemned Pemra for its action against Aaj TV . Crimes and Court Reporters Association, Rawalpindi has announced protest and demonstration against the issuance of uncalled for show cause notice to Aaj TV and vowed to continue the protest indefinitely if the issue is not settled immediately.
NWFP Law Minister Malak Zafar has termed the issuance of notice to Aaj TV as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional. He has said this matter would be taken up in the NWFP Assembly.
A large number of journalists and their representative bodies Khybar Union of Journalists, Tribal Union of Journalists, Awami National Party, Pakistan Peoples Party, Muttehada Majlis-i-Amal, Aurat Foundation, Sarhad Bar Council, Tribal elders staged protest march up to Governor House and condemned Pemra and the government for issuing show cause notice.
Later, journalist belonging to different journalists' organisations presented a memorandum to the officials of the Governor House through which they have demanded immediate withdrawal of show cause notice to Aaj TV .
Aurat Foundation and its affiliates have said if the notice is not withdrawn by April 25, a protest strike would be held which may continue indefinitely to press for the withdrawal of show cause notice. Bar Association Islamabad and Lahore High Court Bar Association, Rawalpindi Bench have condemned Pemra for its unwanted action against Aaj TV and termed it as unfortunate and flagitious.
Strong protests were lodged in Sawat. Mingora Press Club has established a cell to monitor minute to minute development in this regard.
Similarly Naushera Union of Journalists in its special meeting condemned Pemra for its action against Aaj TV and demanded its immediate withdrawal. They have threatened to stage demonstration at Naushera Shobra Chawk if the notice is not withdrawn within two days.
Political, social and journalists communities of Kohat have also condemned Pemra and its uncalled for action against Aaj TV . Members of the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) belonging to Karachi will meet on April 24, Tuesday, at 2:30 at the CPNE Secretariat to consider action of Pemra against Aaj TV . Pemra has served show cause notice and threaten to close down Aaj TV for its coverage of reference against Chief Justice of Pakistan Mr Justice Iftikhar Ahmed Chaudhry.
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