Two Dawn News employees injured
Two employees of Dawn News TV channel sustained bullet injuries in an armed attack in Landhi area of the metropolis on August 17.
Dawn News and Express News on August 17 and Abb Takk on August 18 aired this news, while Dawn, Business Recorder, Express Tribune newspapers on August 18 also reported the news that two unidentified armed men stopped the channel’s van in Landhi area of Karachi and forced the two employees – driver Yousuf Khan and transport supervisor Hakim Khan – to hand over their valuables.
The employees were handing over their mobile phones and other valuables to them, but the armed men opened fire on them. As a result, both suffered bullet injuries. They were shifted to Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) for treatment.
The News, Roznama Express and Nawa-i-Waqt on August 19 reported that Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Pervaiz Rashid and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) have strongly condemned the attack on the Dawn News employees.
IHC rejects ARY’s appeal
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) has rejected the ARY Communications’ appeal seeking suspension of PEMRA’s decision to ban its programme “Live With Dr Shahid Masood” for 45 days for allegedly defaming Chief Justice Sindh High Court.
The Nation on August 18 reported that Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb conducted hearing of the petition of the ARY Communications challenging the PEMRA’s decision to ban its programme. PEMRA sought more time to submit reply, while IHC bench directed to submit reply till August 18 and provide a copy of its reply to the petitioner as well. IHC also ordered to continue the programme “Live With Dr Shahid Masood”
ARY News in its programme “Live With Dr Shahid Masood” on August 15 discussed the issue of ban on programme. ARY News’ anchor person Arshad Sharif said, “Dr Shahid Masood sought proof from PEMRA, but it couldn’t provide it”
The channel did not give PEMRA a fair representation. However, it showed different documents about Absar Alam in the programme, but did not give him a chance to defend.
Body formed to review recommendation for RTI Bill draft
On August 17, a Question-Hour Session was held at National Assembly, which was presided over by Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq.
The News on August 18 reported that Senator Pervaiz Rashid said, “Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif has formed a five-member committee to review recommendations for the draft of Right to Information (RTI) Bill 2016.” He said this while replying to a question raised by Shakila Lucman during the session.
Endowment Fund announced for journalists
Media Town Housing Society Chairman Farouq Faisal Khan has announced Endowment Fund for the welfare of orphans and widows of journalists.
The News and Jang on August 16 reported that while addressing flag hoisting ceremony on the occasion of the 69th Independence Day of Pakistan organised by National Press Club (NPC), Farouq said, “We are achieving self- reliance. Endowment Fund initially started with Rs 30 million, contributed by senior journalists.”
He also called for the unity of journalists to ensure welfare of journalists community. Speaking on the occasion, Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz appreciated the leadership role of Journalist Panel and NPC. He said that Fund is a huge gift to the journalists community.
SHC orders media to stop reporting names of judges, lawyers, prosecutors
The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed the media to stop reporting the names of judges, lawyers, prosecutors, witnesses or others concerned with the proceedings of anti-terrorism courts in view of security risks.
Express Tribune on August 19 reported that according to an official notification issued on August 16 cited sections 21 (1) (b), 21 (2) and (3) of the Anti Terrorism Act 1997, “Publishing or reporting names of judges or other persons concerned with court proceedings on electronic and print media are in violation of the above mentioned provisions of the statute, besides exposing them to enhance security risk.”
Training termed mandatory before entering media field
Writer Ali Sukhanver in his column “For TV anchors and reporters” published in Pakistan Today on August 15 discussed the characteristics required for becoming a television anchor or reporter. While highlighting the skills of TV anchors, the writer criticsed the anchors of state-owned channel PTV and said, “Some of our TV anchors are really endowed with extra-ordinary skills and talent and some of them are brilliantly intelligent; not talking of PTV; but at the same time some are very much innocent rather foolish.”
The writer on one side praised the talent and experience of some big names of television industry, including Kamran Khan, Talat Hussain and Arif Nizami, while on the other hand, he also criticized them as saying, “Most of them wasted so many years of their life in print media working as reporter, news editor and sometimes as copy paster too.”
He also advised the youngsters, who are enthusiastic to get popularity through electronic media as anchors or reporters, to get some training before entering the field.
Other media related news
Sindh High Court (SHC) dismissed the claims of Geo and Jang Group against ARY News and pop music star Ali Azmat and ordered them to submit penalty of Rs 50,000; A private TV channel on August 16 aired a wrong breaking news about Indian Air Force that it did not allow the entry of Pakistani jet planes in its air territory; Hyderabad Education Bard employees attacked journalists during coverage; Ban imposed on media coverage at Speaker’s chamber; Deputy Inspector General of Police Sindh has directed the police officials not to participate in television talk shows without permission; All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) delegation, led by its President and Managing Director Jang Group Syed Sarmad Ali, visited Media Cell of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information and Public Relations Department, Civil Secretariat, Peshawar on August 18; CPNE team, led by its President Zia Shahid met with Khyber Pakhtunkha Chief Minister Pervez Khattak on August 19, who ensured the delegation that various schemes will be introduced for journalists; Speaker National Assembly Sardar Ayaz Sadiq has started process of legislation for security and welfare of journalists; Sardar Lateef Khosa has announced protest against stopping journalists from coverage; Journalists in Qasoor held a protest over registeration of cases against them; Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah celebrated the 69 Independece Day at Karachi Press Club with Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ), and while addressing the event, the chief minister said journalists have rendered sacrifices in the progress and prosperity of Pakistan; Journalists were stopped from entering ATC during the hearing of Dr Asim and Waseem Akhtar case; Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives organized training workshop for journalists in Mansehra.
During the week, PPF monitored 35 news, tickers, headlines and programs related to Pakistani media that were covered in the following television channels – 92 News, Aaj News, Abb Takk, ARY News, Capital TV, Dawn News, Dunya News, Express News, Geo News, Jaag News, Khyber News, KTN, Neo News, NewsOne, SAMAA and TV One.
There were 22 news stories, editorials, articles and photographs published in 16 daily English and Urdu language newspapers that include Dawn, The News, The Nation, Express Tribune, Business Recorder, Pakistan Today, Regional Times, Jang, Dunya, Roznama Express, Nawa-e-Waqt, Pakistan, Intikhab, Quami Akhbar, Amn, and Roznama Pakistan.