Author: Editorial Staff

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Journalists decry declining state of freedom of information in Pakistan
ByEditorial Staff September 16, 2021September 20, 2021

Several senior journalists of Pakistan expressed their concerns over the declining state of freedom of information in Pakistan and said that journalists are the main affectees of fake news. The…

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ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Shahzada Zulfiqar Tuesday said their struggle against the “anti-media body” wo;; continue, The News reported. Addressing a press conference along with other PFUJ leaders at the National Press Club, Shahzada Zulfiqar demanded the government to take notice against the PMDA if it was not backing the idea to establish the authority. “A three-day meeting of the PFUJ is being held in Lahore from Wednesday [today], which will take important decisions regarding the movement against the proposed PMDA and the media restrictions in the country,” he said. The PFUJ leader said that the successful sit-in of Monday was the result of the selfless work and dedication of the leadership and workers of the PFUJ and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ). ‘Journalist community stands united against PMDA’ The sit-in, where journalists from across the country were present, showed the government that the journalist community stands united against the proposed PMDA. Taking shots at Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who he said believed that the Pakistan’s media will be driven by the PTV, APP and “salaried YouTubers”, he said that the sit-in protest organised by journalists outside the Parliament House had rejected the PMDA outright. PFUJ will expose motives behind the proposed bill He said the Urdu translation of the bill had been completed and it would now be shared with the labour organisations and civil society to tell them that the real motive of the government behind the proposed bill is to suppress the voice for the freedom of media. “We will end the impression which was being given by the government that the bill is in favour of media workers,” he added. He said the PFUJ would continue its struggle against the PMDA, adding that the movement will encounter more difficult stages in the days to come. He journalists to get prepared for even arrests and dismissals from service. Replying to a question, he said, “We don’t think any of the owners’ organisations will reach a compromise with the government. It may be the government’s wish, but to this day, everyone is on the same page. “Even if someone compromises, we are not bound by it,” he added. The PFUJ president said the PMDA does not concern only journalists, it concerned the entire nation, country and its democracy. “We are fighting for society, In-sha-Allah we will be successful,” he added. PFUJ Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said the Federal Union of Journalists had rejected the PMDA, and it would not allow the imposition of a media martial law through the black law. He said the PFUJ would not accept it under any circumstances and it would continue the struggle for freedom of the press. He said it was for the first time that all political parties and stakeholders were standing united with the PFUJ against the proposed PMDA, and the Union would not let anyone damage that unity. Source: Geo News Related posts
ByEditorial Staff September 15, 2021September 20, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Shahzada Zulfiqar Tuesday said their struggle against the “anti-media body” wo;; continue, The…

Read More ISLAMABAD: Rejecting the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) President Shahzada Zulfiqar Tuesday said their struggle against the “anti-media body” wo;; continue, The News reported. Addressing a press conference along with other PFUJ leaders at the National Press Club, Shahzada Zulfiqar demanded the government to take notice against the PMDA if it was not backing the idea to establish the authority. “A three-day meeting of the PFUJ is being held in Lahore from Wednesday [today], which will take important decisions regarding the movement against the proposed PMDA and the media restrictions in the country,” he said. The PFUJ leader said that the successful sit-in of Monday was the result of the selfless work and dedication of the leadership and workers of the PFUJ and the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ). ‘Journalist community stands united against PMDA’ The sit-in, where journalists from across the country were present, showed the government that the journalist community stands united against the proposed PMDA. Taking shots at Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry, who he said believed that the Pakistan’s media will be driven by the PTV, APP and “salaried YouTubers”, he said that the sit-in protest organised by journalists outside the Parliament House had rejected the PMDA outright. PFUJ will expose motives behind the proposed bill He said the Urdu translation of the bill had been completed and it would now be shared with the labour organisations and civil society to tell them that the real motive of the government behind the proposed bill is to suppress the voice for the freedom of media. “We will end the impression which was being given by the government that the bill is in favour of media workers,” he added. He said the PFUJ would continue its struggle against the PMDA, adding that the movement will encounter more difficult stages in the days to come. He journalists to get prepared for even arrests and dismissals from service. Replying to a question, he said, “We don’t think any of the owners’ organisations will reach a compromise with the government. It may be the government’s wish, but to this day, everyone is on the same page. “Even if someone compromises, we are not bound by it,” he added. The PFUJ president said the PMDA does not concern only journalists, it concerned the entire nation, country and its democracy. “We are fighting for society, In-sha-Allah we will be successful,” he added. PFUJ Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said the Federal Union of Journalists had rejected the PMDA, and it would not allow the imposition of a media martial law through the black law. He said the PFUJ would not accept it under any circumstances and it would continue the struggle for freedom of the press. He said it was for the first time that all political parties and stakeholders were standing united with the PFUJ against the proposed PMDA, and the Union would not let anyone damage that unity. Source: Geo News Related posts
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Asad Umar stresses need for system to counter fake news
ByEditorial Staff September 15, 2021September 20, 2021

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives Asad Umar on Wednesday said that “fake news is spreading [in the country] on a day to day basis,” therefore, a…

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Government must heed protests against Pakistan Media Development Authority bill: The International Federation of Journalists
ByEditorial Staff September 15, 2021September 20, 2021

BRUSSELS: The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its Pakistan affiliate, Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) have said that the government must heed the calls of media and open…

Read More Government must heed protests against Pakistan Media Development Authority bill: The International Federation of Journalists
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Pakistan Media Development Authority bill not ‘finalized’ yet, Mazari responds to Opp’s criticism
ByEditorial Staff September 15, 2021September 20, 2021

Amid journalists’ protests against the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) legislation, Human Rights Minister Shireen Mazari on Tuesday claimed that the draft has yet to be given a “final…

Read More Pakistan Media Development Authority bill not ‘finalized’ yet, Mazari responds to Opp’s criticism
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National Assembly speaker claims gallery closed in consultation with journalists
ByEditorial Staff September 15, 2021September 20, 2021

ISLAMABAD: National Assembly Speaker Asad Qaiser has claimed that he had ordered the closure of the press gallery during President Dr Arif Alvi’s address to a joint session of parliament…

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