PAKISTAN MEDIA MONITOR – March 2023
A monthly report on trends relating to state of journalism and media rights, policies and practices
Tracking:
Media related laws, policies and regulations
The state of media professionalisms
The state of media economy
Threats and attacks against journalists and information practitioners
Vol. 4, No. 3 – March 2023 Edition
Produced by Freedom Network – www.fnpk.org
SECTION 1: Media related laws, policies, regulations, mechanisms
- Freedom of expression (FOE)
- Right to information (RTI), access to information (ATI)
- Federal and provincial governments (relevant ministries and departments)
- Media related regulators (PPC, PEMRA, PTA)
- Regulatory issues related to print, electronic and digital media
1,500 cases pending with KP Information Commission amid growing backlog
Date: March 2, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Information Commissioner (CIC) Farah Hamid Khan said around 1,500 cases against government departments over information delay or denial were pending with the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Commission (KPIC) and the number of such cases were growing.
Information body orders provincial assembly to make details of MPAs accessible
Date: March 12, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Punjab Information Commission (PIC) denied immunity to the Punjab Assembly (PA) from the law on right to information (RTI) and ordered it to make details relating to the performance and the funds allocated to its members available on its website.
SECTION 2: The state of media professionalisms
- Media independence issues
- Public interest journalism practices and challenges
- Ethical journalism issues
- The state of thematic journalism
- Community-focused media
- Misinformation / disinformation / fake news
Women journalists honored for their contribution to the media industry
Date: March 10, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Karachi Press Club (KPC) and the Sindh Commission on the Status of Women (SCSW) honored 25 women journalists for their meaningful contribution in various fields of journalism.
Reporter wins first round of defamation case against three PTI leaders in UK court
Date: March 10, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Geo TV and The News reporter Murtaza Ali Shah won a preliminary trial on the meaning for defamation at the United Kingdom High Court against three Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) officials who launched a defamatory social media campaign against him in March 2020.
Exiled Pakistani journalist turns comic book author
Date: March 14, 2023 – Source: Dawn
An autobiographical comic book – The Dissident Club – authored by exiled Pakistani journalist Taha Siddiqui and Hubert Maury is set to be released in France, and soon in other languages.
Digital media, academia joins hands to form coalition against disinformation
Date: March 21, 2023 – Source: Freedom Network (FN)
A group of journalism and mass communications departments of universities across Pakistan, independent digital media platforms, journalists’ associations, media rights groups and activists launched the Coalition Against Disinformation (CAD) to defend public interest journalism.
Anti-Terrorism Court sentences man to death for blasphemy
Date: March 25, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
An Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa convicted Syed Muhammad Zeeshan under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and Anti-Terrorist Act for posting blasphemous content in a WhatsApp chat group, sentencing him to death and imprisonment on multiple counts.
Information call centers to be set up to counter fake news against Sindh government
Date: March 26, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Sindh Information Minister Sharjeel Memon announced the establishment of an information call centers at the provincial information department to counter fake news against the Sindh government and directed the information secretary to prepare PC1 for the project.
Journalists consider pitfalls, promise of social media
Date: March 30, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Senior journalists and media practitioners blamed social media for contributing the most to the spread of misinformation in society, but acknowledged that more proactive steps were needed – both from media and its consumers – to be able to spot fake news and prevent it from causing wider social harm.
SECTION 3: The state of media economy
- Economic landscape of media industry
- Impact of Covid-19 on media resilience and sustainability
- Government and private advertising for media industry
- Advertising sector and its interface with media industry
- Business viability and sustainability of media
- Wages, salaries and arrears of journalists and media practitioners
Sindh governor assures APNS of his role to get their issues resolved
Date: March 22, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Observer (PO)
Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori assured a delegation of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) of playing his part in resolving their issues regarding dwindling number of newspaper readers, financial difficulties and increasing popularity of other mediums.
Plot in Islamabad: Family of slain journalist asks Prime Minister to honor pledge
Date: March 28, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The family of slain journalist Musa Khankhel, who was awarded the Tamgha-e-Imtiaz, requested Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to give his heirs a plot of land promised to them by the then Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf-led (PTI) government.
SECTION 4: Threats and attacks against media and information practitioners, including online
- Murders and killings
- Kidnappings and abductions
- Arrests and detentions
- Threats – verbal and written
- Harassment and intimidation – offline and online
- Surveillance, hacking and data breaches
- Legal cases for journalism-related work or free speech
- Impunity of crimes against journalists
- Censorship
Court seeks documents in petition to lift media ban on Altaf Hussain
Date: March 2, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Sindh High Court (SHC) granted time to a petitioner to file documents in a petition seeking removal of a ban on media coverage of Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) founder Altaf Hussain.
Pakistan urged to free journalist held illegally after being deported from Malaysia
Date: March 2, 2023 – Source 1: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for the immediate and unconditional release of Pakistani journalist Syed Fawad Ali Shah who was deported from Malaysia despite having refugee status there, and who is now being held in a prison in Peshawar.
Media workers assaulted at political presser in Toba Tek Singh
Date: March 2, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Faisalabad-based journalists and press photographers boycotted a press conference of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) leader Farrukh Habib after some reporters and media workers were assaulted by party activists.
PEMRA bans broadcast of Imran Khan’s speeches
Date: March 6, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Al Jazeera
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) ordered a ban on the broadcast of speeches and press talks of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan after he passed controversial remarks against former army chief Qamar Javed Bajwa.
Blanket ban on critical speeches ‘disturbing demonstration’ of threat to freedom of expression
Date: March 6, 2023 – Source: Amnesty International (AI)
The blanket ban on an opposition leader’s speeches and suspension of ARY News is a disturbing demonstration of how successive Pakistani authorities target critical voices and use the country’s electronic media regulator to threaten press freedom.
Minister vows to take action in reporters’ manhandling case
Date: March 7, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Minister for Law and Justice Azam Nazeer Tarar assured journalists that the federal government believes in freedom of expression and he will take the case of their manhandling at the premises of the Islamabad High Court (IHC) to the logical end.
Objection to Imran Khan’s plea against broadcast ban on speeches upheld
Date: March 8, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) sustained an office objection to a petition of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan challenging a ban imposed by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on the broadcast of his speeches and press talks.
IPI condemns attack on news anchorperson
Date: March 8, 2023 – Source: International Press Institute (IPI)
The International Press Institute (IPI) global network condemned the attack on Pakistani news anchorperson Marvia Malik, who was shot at outside her residence in Lahore. IPI urged authorities to ensure that journalists and media professionals are able to do their jobs freely and safely.
Sealed probe report submitted to Supreme Court in Arshad Sharif murder case
Date: March 9, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: The Nation
The Special Joint Investigation Committee (SJIT), constituted to probe the death of journalist Arshad Sharif in Kenya, furnished a sealed progress report before the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP).
PEMRA prohibits airing material on ‘conduct’ of superior judiciary
Date: March 10, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) directed television channels to not broadcast content about the conduct of sitting high court and Supreme Court judges.
Supreme Court delists Arshad Sharif murder case
Date: March 10, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) delisted the hearing of a suo moto case regarding journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder due to unavailability of one of the bench members.
PEMRA’s wobbly dance with free speech
Date: March 11, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Even in using its power, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is selective. For instance, it chooses to exercise its power of cancelling media licenses only when a particular television channel is out of favor.
PEMRA bans airing of news show for two weeks
Date: March 11, 2023 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: The News
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned anchorperson Dr Shahid Masood’s television show for two weeks over airing false news regarding relief assistance handed over by the federal government to Turkiye.
Notices issued on plea for MPA’s disqualification in Nazim Jokhio murder case
Date: March 14, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Pakistan Today
The Sindh High Court (SHC) issued notices to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP), Sindh Assembly speaker and others on a petition seeking disqualification of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) MPA Jam Awais, who was pardoned by the legal heirs of citizen journalist Nazim Jokhio for his murder.
Date: March 16, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is an autonomous regulator. Its function is not to promote the interest of the powers that be. It must operate independently. It has no right to impose blanket bans on media outlets.
Supreme Court judge questions PEMRA ban on news channels
Date: March 16, 2023 – Source: The News
Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) Justice Qazi Faez Isa said that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was destroying the television industry while imposing undue restrictions on news channels, saying the regulator was generating revenue by giving licenses to them.
Chief Justice hints at judicial probe in journalist murder case
Date: March 18, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial regretted that there is no progress in journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder case and hinted at the formation of a judicial commission to probe the matter.
Chief Justice dismayed over lack of progress in journalist’s murder probe
Date: March 18, 2023 – Source: The News
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial expressed concerns over the lack of progress by the Special Joint Investigation Team (SJIT) in the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif.
PEMRA bans live coverage of rallies, public gatherings
Date: March 19, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Business Recorder (BR)
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited the live coverage of any rally or public gathering, stating a ban has been imposed on coverage of any party, person, or organization.
Bol News ordered ‘off air’ for live coverage of clashes between police, PTI workers
Date: March 19, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Print
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) banned the transmission of Bol News for the live coverage of clashes between law enforcement personnel and Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) workers in Islamabad.
News reporter, cameraman hurt during operation against encroachments
Date: March 19, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Geo News reporter Kashif Mushtaq and cameraman Zeeshan Iqbal covering the anti-encroachment drive in a Karachi neighborhood were injured in an attack by locals protesting against the move.
Journalist’s house attacked in Kohat
Date: March 22, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Unidentified terrorists attacked the residence of Geo News reporter Syed Yasir Shah in Kohat, partially damaging the abode. Police officials registered a case and launched a search operation to apprehend the culprits.
Peshawar High Court petitioned for ban on media interviews of suspects in custody
Date: March 22, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Inspector-General of Police and the federal information secretary to respond to a petition seeking a ban on media interviews of suspects in official custody.
Journalist discharged by Anti-Terrorism Court
Date: March 22, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Bol News Bureau Chief Siddique Jan was discharged and the request for continuation in his physical remand by the Islamabad Police (IP) refused by an Anti-Terrorism Court (ATC) in Islamabad.
US senator concerned at press freedom in India, Pakistan
Date: March 24, 2023 – Source: The News
Senator Chris Van Hollen, a member of the United States Senate Foreign Relations Committee, expressed concern over press freedom in India and Pakistan and that freedom of press was ‘in a bad state than what it was before’.
Date: March 25, 2023 – Source: Dawn
A regulator that is supposed to be independent continues to play its biased role of censoring political voices that fall out of favor with the country’s establishment. It is unacceptable for the government to and the state apparatus to use PEMRA as a tool for political and social censorship.
Date: March 27, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Pakistan is among the deadliest countries in the world to practice journalism. The government uses legal and constitutional powers to curb freedom of expression while banned militant outfits continue to pose a threat to the lives of media practitioners.
Kenyan probe report finds Pakistani journalist killed in a case of mistaken identity
Date: March 28, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
An investigation by Kenyan government authorities maintained that Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing near Nairobi was a case of ‘mistaken identity’ and denied any and all theories of it being a ‘planned murder’.
PEMRA requested to prohibit coverage of Sheikh Rashid ‘for smoking cigars’
Date: March 28, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Pakistan National Heart Association (PANAH) appealed to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to stop media coverage of Sheikh Rashid Ahmed as he smokes cigars during press conferences and this can negatively influence the young generation.
Predecessor used Dawn Leaks to get extension, claims General Bajwa
Date: March 30, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Former army chief retired General Qamar Javed Bajwa reportedly said that there was nothing credible in the furor created over a Dawn story published in 2016, claiming that the issue was hyped up by his predecessor in a bid to secure an extension in service from then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif.
OBJECTIVES: This series of monthly report aims to:
- Monitor the state of policies, regulations and mechanisms governing the media sector in Pakistan; the state of freedom of expression and right to information environment in the country and how these interfaces with media freedoms allowed or restricted via media regulations governed by the print, electronic and internet regulators.
- Track the state of media professionalisms in the country including ethical and public interest journalism practices and challenges, and the challenges of misinformation, disinformation and fake news phenomena.
- Follow the changing economic dynamics of the media industry and how they impact the business viability and sustainability of media and exploitation of media staff in lieu of their wages and arrears.
- Scrutinize threats and attacks against media and information practitioners, the state of impunity of crimes against journalists and efforts to provide justice for those aggrieved and distressed.
INFORMATION SOURCES: This report monitors, among others, the following sources of information:
- Government: Federal and provincial cabinets
- Ministries: Related ministries, including Information and Broadcasting, Information Technology (IT) and Telecom, Human Rights, Science and Technology, Commerce and Industry, etc.
- Legislatures: Senate, National Assembly, provincial assemblies, relevant standing committees
- Regulators: Pakistan telecommunications Authority (PTA), Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Press Council of Pakistan (PPC), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), etc.
- Global organizations: UN/Unesco, International Media Support (IMS), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), International Federation of Journalists (IFJ), Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Amnesty International (AI), Human Rights Watch (HRW), etc.
- National organizations: Digital Rights Foundation (DRF), BoloBhi, Media Matters for Democracy (MMFD), Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP), etc.
- Media: Dawn, The News, Express Tribune, The Nation, Pakistan Today, The Friday Times, etc.
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, etc.
- Local networks: Journalists Safety Hubs Network, Alliance on Diversity & Pluralism in Media, etc.
- Any other open public information sources.
