LAHORE: Human rights activist and former president of the Supreme Court Bar Association Asma Jahangir has said she supports freedom of expression and the independence of the media, and punishing any TV channel is not an act of any pillar of the state but of dictators.<\/p>\n
Addressing a lawyers gathering at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal here on Thursday, Asma said whatever Geo did was not fair. No journalistic ethics permit putting the picture (of any official) on the TV screen for hours over mere allegations, she said, adding that there was nothing new in this, however, as \u201cGeo as well as all other TV channels have done it to us all in the past\u201d.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou may fine it (Geo) for the mistake, you may force them to apologise\u201d, but what is this attitude, she asked. \u201cYou say no pardon, you say you will bring this organisation to its knees, once, twice, thrice, and there seems to be no end to it,\u201d she added. She said if the army rulers believe they can strangle the freedom of expression in this country, they are mistaken.<\/p>\n
Asma said when the judiciary indulges in politics instead of providing justice, we criticise it. \u201cWe did it earlier, and we do it even today,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n
Asma regretted that the media have started dictating even to lawyers. \u201cThey say a lawyer must ask them (the media) before taking up any case. If they will permit, you take up a case, and if they don\u2019t want you to, you don\u2019t go for it,\u201d the lawyer leader said.<\/p>\n
Asma said the government claims that their heart bleeds at the misuse of public money. \u201cIf it is public money then why have you provided six employees at government expense to the former CJ, whose son is still staying in the guest house,\u201d the rights activist asked. She also questioned the appointment of Faqeer Hussain as the director general of the Federal Judicial Academy after his retirement as the Supreme Court registrar, and termed it in violation of merit.<\/p>\n