PAKISTAN MEDIA MONITOR – February 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. 2 – February 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
Pakistan Information Commission issues notice to PEC for not sharing information
Date: February 3, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) issued a show-cause notice to Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC) for not responding to the information request of an appellant and the notices of the Commission.
Legislators urged to reject ‘regressive’ amendment to information act
Date: February 9, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Center for Peace and Development Initiatives (CPDI)
The Center for Peace and Development Initiatives wrote letters to the speaker of the National Assembly, Senate chairman and other senators to play a role in ensuring that a ‘regressive’ amendment in the Right of Access to Information (RTI) Act 2017 does not pass.
Access to information: Chief Justice hints at online streaming of court proceedings
Date: February 15, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Umar Ata Bandial hinted at making available the transcript or live-streaming of court proceedings, when he said the matter would be taken up in the full court meeting of all Supreme Court judges to forestall any chance of inaccuracies in court reporting.
Provincial government de-notifies members of Punjab Information Commission
Date: February 16, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
On the directions of the Chief Minister, the Information and Culture Department of Punjab de-notified with immediate effect all three members of the Punjab Information Commission (PIC).
PEMRA law amendment: IHC directs government to consult media stakeholders
Date: February 18, 2023 – Source: The News
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to share a copy of the proposed amendments in PEMRA law with the respondents, which is meant to provide a legal forum to address the issues faced by electronic media journalists.
CEC stresses efforts being made to implement right to information law
Date: February 20, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Chief Information Commissioner (CEC) of the Pakistan Information Commission (PIC) Shoaib Ahmed Siddiqui underlined the need for awareness regarding the law of right to information (RTI) and its implementation.
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
Date: February 1, 2023 – Source: The News
As defamation laws in Pakistan lack adequate implementation, any powerful person or organization can level allegations – including being a traitor and a murderer – on other and get away with that.
Cabinet committee formed to review bill for defamation of armed forces, judiciary
Date: February 8, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Observer
The federal cabinet formed a committee to review a bill that aims to amend the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) where up to five-year imprisonment will be awarded to whoever ridicules Pakistan’s armed forces and judiciary through any medium.
Cabinet divided over proposed bill on ‘ridiculing armed forces, judiciary’
Date: February 9, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News, Source 3: Express Tribune
The controversial bill for amendment to the Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) and Code of Criminal Procedure (CRPC) created a division among members of the federal cabinet. The bill provides for curbs on criticism on certain state institutions through arrest without warrant and a five-year jail term.
Role of media sought during Pakistan’s first digital census
Date: February 10, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Pakistan Bureau of Statistics (PBS) conducted an interactive session with media personnel to brief them about the scope, background and importance of their role during Pakistan’s first digital census.
Date: February 11, 2023 – Source: The News
There is a widening gap between digital-media whetted appetite of the new generation and the ability of the old generation of content producers. If journalism has to be saved from its own growing irrelevance, decision-makers within the industry need to take some risks.
Date: February 22, 2023 – Source: Dawn
As Pakistan faces a resurgent wave of terrorism, important questions need to be discussed how the media covers acts of violence, especially pertaining to its live coverage of hostage and combat situations.
Ghost experts, non-existent think tanks fuel India’s disinformation drive against regional rivals
Date: February 24, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Radio Pakistan (RP)
In spite of two major exposes against the wire service in 2019 and 2020, Asian News International (ANI) – an Indian news agency – continues to peddle disinformation using ‘non-existent’ sources and ghost experts to target regional rivals, particularly Pakistan and China.
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
Islamabad High Court displeased with delay in legislation on journalists’ service structure
Date: February 7, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) expressed displeasure over the lethargy or the law and information ministries for delaying the legislation for service structure of journalists working in electronic media.
Punjab CM assures APNS of resolving financial issues of newspaper industry
Date: February 7, 2023 – Source 1: The Nation, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR), Source 3: Minute Mirror
Caretaker Chief Minister Punjab Mohsin Naqvi assured representatives of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) of resolving financial issues of the province’s newspaper industry and directed the information department to arrears of advertisements without delay.
Government refutes advertisement policy plan for social media journalists
Date: February 8, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
While responding to a supplementary question during Senate proceedings, Minister of State for Law and Justice Shahadat Awan said that there was no plan under consideration for authorizing advertisements to social media journalists.
Punjab BOR for action against illegal occupants in journalists’ colony
Date: February 10, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
A meeting chaired by senior member of Punjab’s Boar of Revenue (BOR) Nabeel Javed asserted that strict action would be taken against illegal occupants of residential buildings situated in Lahore’s journalist colony and the vacated buildings would be handed over to rightful owners.
Peshawar High Court issues notices to officials on illegal funding for press club
Date: February 16, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Peshawar High Court (PHC) Abbottabad-circle bench issued notices to officials of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Department on a petition challenging the alleged illegal funding provided by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) government to an unregistered press club.
BUJ calls for payment of salaries to journalists
Date: February 19, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Bahawalpur Union of Journalists (BUJ) demanded of media outlets and organizations to ensure payment of outstanding salaries to journalists, media workers and their employees at the earliest.
ECP directs PEMRA to stop television channels from airing Sindh government advertisements
Date: February 19, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to refrain private television channels from airing development advertisements ahead of elections for vacated seats of the National Assembly, especially in Sindh.
AJK television employees seek regularization of service
Date: February 20, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
As many as eleven temporary employees of Pakistan Television Corporation (PTVC), appointed at its Muzaffarabad Center between 2004 and 2009, called upon the head of National Assembly’s special committee on affected employees to get their service ‘regularized’ on ‘humanitarian grounds’.
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
Television anchorperson arrested for alleged hate speech
Date: February 3, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) arrested television anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan for hate speech after being told that his name was placed on a blacklist as he was trying to travel outside of Pakistan from Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore.
Journalist murder case: Investigation team returns to Pakistan after inquiry
Date: February 3, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Special Joint Investigation Team (SJIT) formed to probe the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif near Nairobi returned to Pakistan after completing its inquiry in Kenya and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Hate speech case discharged against television anchorperson
Date: February 4, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Daily Times, Source 3: Arab News
A judicial magistrate discharged a case of ‘hate speech’ registered against television anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and ordered his immediate release.
Imran Khan defends remarks on female journalist’s harassment
Date: February 6, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Former Prime Minister Imran Khan said that his statement regarding journalist Gharida Farooqi being harassed at Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) rallies was taken out of context and that in a society like Pakistan ‘if you put yourself in that position, you are going to be vulnerable’.
PEMRA bars television channels from reporting rape case
Date: February 8, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Daily Times
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited all television channels from airing news or reporting on the F-9 Park, Islamabad rape case to protect the identity of the victim.
AEMEND discusses challenges to Pakistan’s media industry
Date: February 10, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND), in a meeting held in Lahore, raised concerns over the hurdles and challenges faced by journalists and media persons and urged the federal government to revoke the PECA act.
Media anchorperson seeks removal of name from no-fly list
Date: February 10, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Lawyers representing media anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan presented a petition before the Lahore High Court (LHC) seeking removal of his name from the Exit Control List (ECL) and Passport Control List (PCL) saying that his name was added to these lists ‘relying upon presumptive considerations’.
Supreme Court terms journalist murder probe team’s visit to Kenya, UAE ‘futile’
Date: February 14, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Daily Times
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) described the visit of a Special Joint Investigation Team (SJIT) to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Kenya to probe the killing of journalist Arshad Sharif as a ‘story of foot dragging and people not cooperating’.
RSF urges Pakistan government not to criminalize comments about armed forces
Date: February 14, 2023 – Source 1: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Source 2: Dawn
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called on Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif to abandon plans to make it an offence to criticize the armed forces, as it would pose a serious threat to journalistic freedom.
Both members of fact-finding panel in Arshad Sharif case posted out
Date: February 15, 2023 – Source: The News
Two officers who conducted fact-finding in the murder probe of journalist Arshad Sharif were posted out from the positions in the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and the Intelligence Bureau (IB) for ‘reasons best known to their bosses’.
Islamabad High Court reserves judgement on appeal of journalist in sedition case
Date: February 15, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) reserved its verdict on an appeal of ARY News director and co-accused in the case Ammad Yousaf against the order of the district court in the Shahbaz Gill sedition case.
Digital journalism sector fighting for survival against stacked odds
Date: February 15, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
According to a research published by the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), Pakistan’s digital journalism start-ups are championing public interest content, free expression and gender inclusivity despite facing financial challenges, safety risks and resource constraint.
Online trolling against women journalist condemned
Date: February 16, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) condemned the online trolling campaign against women journalist Javeria Siddique, who is also the wife of murdered journalist Arshad Sharif. Such campaigns reflect the gendered nature of attacks that women journalists in Pakistan are subjected to.
The vicious cycle of criminalizing defamation
Date: February 18, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Instead of strengthening criminal defamation laws by making criticism of the military and judiciary a crime, the state needs to move towards decriminalizing defamation. There already exists a civil defamation law; there is no need to put people in jail merely for speaking their minds.
Media organizations to resist impunity for crimes against journalists
Date: February 18, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Freedom Network (FN)
Representatives of the Commission for the Protection of Journalists and Other Media Practioners (CJMP) said that they will strive for tackling impunity for crimes against journalists and media practioners in Sindh.
Alarm over proposed law to criminalize institutions’ criticism
Date: February 18, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The International Press Institute (IPI) said it was alarmed by the proposed bill – under which five-year prison terms can be handed to anyone who scandalizes or ridicules the military or judiciary – and stressed that the measures would expand on the restrictive provisions used to silence critical media.
Transgender anchorperson survives gun attack in Lahore
Date: February 24, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
Marvia Malik, Pakistan’s first transgender news anchorperson, survived a gun attack by unidentified persons outside her residence in Lahore. She said her activism was ‘a major factor’ behind the assassination attempt.
Journalist, police clash at Gaddafi Stadium gate
Date: February 27, 2023 – Source: Dawn
A clash took place between the police and television anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan who tried to enter the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore along with some men who were wearing masks of the slain journalist Arshad Sharif’s face to show solidarity with him during a Pakistan Super League (PSL) game.
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.
