The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) has fully supported its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), in calling for all political parties in Pakistan to sign a declaration that they will support no move to pass anti-media laws after national elections on January 8.
PFUJ president, Huma Ali, and Secretary General, Mazhar Abbas, would meet the heads of all political parties to request them to sign the declaration regarding their position on amendments to the
Registration of Printing and Publication Ordinance, (RPPO)-2002, and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, (PEMRA)-2002. The amendments, which severely restrict media freedom, were made after
President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3. The emergency decrees were lifted on December 15, restoring the Constitution's Article 19, which promotes freedom of expression. However, the PFUJ said restrictions remain against the media under the amended ordinances, including bans on live coverage of election issues or events.
'Media has not been free since November 3, when the emergency was imposed, and nor is it free now,' the PFUJ said. "Article 19 has been restored, but why then are two private television channels -GEO and Royal - not permitted to resume their transmissions?'
Pressure on media institutions to sign the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority's code of conduct, which contradicts the principles of a free and independent media, negate claims made by the President that he supports media freedom, the PFUJ added.
Rather than being forced to sign a government-controlled code, a complaints council comprising independent people should be appointed, it said. The PFUJ will invite political leaders, senior editors, activists, lawyers and civil society members to join ``protest camps' that will continue until January 10.
The PFUJ plans to call for a big rally outside the Parliament during the first sessions of the National Assembly after the election. Journalists from throughout the country are expected to participate. All restrictions on all media in Pakistan must be lifted, said the IFJ's Asia-Pacific Director, Jacqueline Park in a statement on Monday.