Staff Reporter
Decision of the federal government to set up media tribunals is not acceptable, said Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), adding that protests would be launched if the decision was not withdrawn.
The announcement was made during an unusual meeting of CPNE, Islamabad chapter, held here on Friday with Vice President of CPNE Sardar Khan Niazi in chair.
The CPNE General Secretary, Dr Abdul Jabbar Khattak, CPNE Joint Secretary Shakil Ahmed Turabi, Members Amir Ilyas Rana, Tariq Sumer, Sajjad Abbasi, Safeer Hussain Shah, Mumtaz Ahmad Sadiq, Abdul Aslam Bath and Syed Naqi Kazmi also attended the meeting.
During the meeting, the aftermath effects of federal government’s decision to set up media tribunals were discussed. It was stated on the occasion that this decision of the federal government is an attempt and continuation of curtailing the freedom of the media so this decision could not be accepted in any way.
The meeting while expressing concerns over the government’s decision has demanded to withdraw the decision of setting up media tribunals. The CPNE will lodge protest against the attempt to impose restrictions on freedom of expression and freedom of media.
The CPNE has decided that a future course of action would be devised after holding consultations with journalistic community and all stake holders against the government’s decision.
During the CPNE meeting the government was asked to issue government advertisements on merit and in this regard the Central Media List should be followed. The meeting said that the equal policy based on merit should be formed for issuance of government advertisements for media organizations.
It was decided in the meeting that CPNE Islamabad Chapter will be made active. Every month at least two programs will be held in Islamabad, in which government and political personalities will also be invited.
