PAKISTAN MEDIA MONITOR – August 2024
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. 5, No. 8 – August 2024 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
Three years after passage of law, Balochistan yet to form RTI commission
Date: August 18, 2024 – Source: Dawn
While the federal and other provincial information commissions have completed three terms, the body has yet to be formed in Balochistan despite three years since the law was passed by the provincial assembly.
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
UAE envoy warns Pakistanis against ‘negative propaganda’
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source: The News
Consul General of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Karachi, Bakheet al-Rameithi, asked Pakistani citizens residing in the UAE to avoid spreading negative propaganda against their country, its institutions or politicians.
Fahd Haroon appointed SAPM on digital media
Date: August 9, 2024 – Source: The News
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the appointment of Fahd Haroon as his Special Assistant on Digital Media. With the new induction, the strength of the federal cabinet has reached 24.
Army chief cautions against insidious threat of fake news, propaganda
Date: August 16, 2024 – Source: The News
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir cautioned against the insidious threat of fake news and propaganda being perpetrated by inimical elements to weaken the bond between the people of Pakistan and the armed forces.
Lahore police probing claims about disinformation that sparked UK riots
Date: August 19, 2024 – Source: Dawn
More than a week after the United Kingdom (UK) witnessed riots in the aftermath of the fatal stabbing of three young girls in Southport, law enforcement agencies in Pakistan were probing claims that the disinformation originated from a website that also had a footprint in Pakistan.
Police detain man in connection with UK disinformation probe
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The Washington Post, Source 3: Sky News
Police in Lahore detained a Pakistani citizen, accused of having a role in disseminating the disinformation that led to race motivated riots across the United Kingdom following the stabbing of three young girls in the city of Southport.
Pakistani accused of triggering UK riots is a lone wolf
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source: The News
A Pakistani citizen, Farhan Asif, whose fake news triggered riots in the United Kingdom (UK) turned out to be a lone wolf, investigation revealed. He successfully misled the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) into believing there was a team of people to work for his website, Channel3Now.
Army chief believes it is the state’s job to protect people from social media ‘ills’
Date: August 22, 2024 – Source: The News
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Asim Munir said it was the state’s responsibility to protect the public from the negative impacts of social media. This was the latest in a long line of warnings from the army chief and the military about the dangers posed by social media.
Sindh asks PEMRA not to allow airing of breast milk substitute advertisements
Date: August 23, 2024 – Source: The News
The Infant and Young Child Nutrition (IYCN) Board in Sindh asked the Pakistan Electronic Media regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to prohibit the advertisement of breast milk substitutes ad complementary foods for children up to 35 months of age on electronic media.
UK disinformation suspect released on court order
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Daily Times, Source 3: NBC News
A duty magistrate at a district court discharged a man in a case of playing a role in sharing disinformation that fueled race motivated riots in the United Kingdom.
Media professionals call for public and not vested interests to be paramount for media
Date: August 31, 2024 – Source: The News
A cross-section of national and international media professionals called the media to work for public interest rather than vested interests amidst rapidly changing journalistic landscape because the digitalization of news coverage and newsroom operations and information veracity.
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
AJKTV’s only studio gutted in fire
Date: August 31, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A fire devastated the only studio of the Azad Jammu and Kashmir Television (AJKTV) in Muzaffarabad, halting all indoor operations at the state-run media outlet until repairs or reconstruction was completed.
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
Foreign journalist seeking audience with Imran Khan ‘deported’
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: First Post (FP)
British-American author and journalist Charles Glass, who had been trying to secure a meeting with incarcerated former prime minister Imran Khan, was told by law enforcement agencies that his visa had been cancelled and he had five hours to leave Pakistan.
Raoof Hasan among 10 PTI activists shifted to Adiala jail
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Ten activists of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) including its Secretary of Information Raoof Hasan arrested by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 were shifted to Adiala jail.
High court told evidence of Arshad Sharif killing case can’t be officially checked in Kenya
Date: August 1, 2024 – Source: The News
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) was informed that since there is no mutual legal assistance (MLA) agreement between the Pakistani and Kenyan governments, evidence and other material cannot be officially checked in Kenya in the case of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif’s killing.
Anti-state propaganda case: PTI information secretary, eight others granted bail
Date: August 2, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
A special court in Islamabad granted post-arrest bail to Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) Secretary Information Raoof Hasan and eight others in a case registered against them under the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), 2016.
Larger Supreme Court bench to hear Arshad Sharif murder case
Date: August 2, 2024 – Source: The News
A three-member committee, established under the Supreme Court (Practice and Procedure) Act 2023, constituted a five-member larger bench to hear suo moto case regarding the murder of journalist Arshad Sharif.
X to be restored in Pakistan only after government’s approval, PTA chairmen tells Senate
Date: August 2, 2024 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Express Tribune
Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) chairman Hafeezur Rehman told the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat that it was for the federal government to decide on opening social media platform X for unrestricted use.
Curbs on freedom of expression worry journalists at PFUJ’s platinum jubilee
Date: August 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
At a meeting to celebrate the platinum jubilee of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), participants demanded that media house owners ensure protection of life and safety of their journalists and media workers.
Lady constable fired for uploading ‘inappropriate’ videos on TikTok
Date: August 3, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A lady constable from the capital police was dismissed from service for misconduct, including uploading inappropriate videos on TikTok while in uniform and alleged involvement in ‘immoral’ activities.
PEMRA stops television channels from mocking police in skits
Date: August 4, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) directed all television channels not to feature characters in police uniforms in a derogatory manner during comedy skits and satirical programs.
Doctored video case: Chief justice questions illegal use of VPNs in Pakistan
Date: August 6, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Lahore High Court (LHC) Chief Justice Aalia Neelum questioned how virtual private networks (VPNs) were being used illegally if there was a ban on social media platform X.
Chief Justice details why Arshad Sharif murder case not heard by larger bench
Date: August 6, 2024 – Source: Dawn
Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Qazi Faez Isa explained that the murder case of journalist Arshad Sharif was not fixed before a five-member larger bench as it did not require any constitutional interpretation.
Senate body takes up journalists’ protection bill
Date: August 7, 2024 – Source: Dawn
A Senate panel reviewed the private member bill titled ‘The Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals (Amendment) Bill, 2022’, proposing the establishment of a commission to provide immediate relief to journalists against torture and other woes.
PTI spokesperson granted release on bail
Date: August 7, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) spokesperson Raoof Hasan was released from Adiala jail after an anti-terrorism court (ATC) granted him bail in connection with a case pertaining to alleged recovery of explosives.
Lahore High Court orders police to recover missing YouTuber
Date: August 17, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today
The Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the police to recover YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa allegedly picked up by law enforcement agencies. The order was passed by Justice Syed Shahbaz Ali Rizvi as he heard a habeas corpus petitioned filed by the wife of the missing YouTuber.
Journalist’s murder case adjourned in Sukkur
Date: August 18, 2024 – Source: The News
The hearing of the murder case of slain journalist Nasrullah Gadani was adjourned until August 23 by the District and Sessions Court in Sukkur. The court ordered the investigation officer to submit the final challan on the next hearing date.
Satirist picked up as tolerance dwindles
Date: August 18, 2024 – Source: Express Tribune
It seems the even laughter may soon need official approval, as tolerance in the country appears to be wearing thin amid ongoing reports of alleged enforced disappearances. The latest to vanish was YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa, who was reportedly ‘picked up’ from his Lahore residence.
Abducted YouTuber returns after alleged abduction, draws attention to enforced disappearances
Date: August 20, 2024 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Today
YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa, who was reportedly abducted on August 15, managed to safely return home, as confirmed by his counsel. The Lahore High Court (LHC) had earlier directed the Punjab Police to ensure Khosa’s recovery.
‘Unfulfilled promises’: Six years on and no sign of Mudassar Naaru
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source: Voice.pk
Civil society, including politicians, journalists and human rights activists held a demonstration in Islamabad to mark six years since journalist Mudassar Naaru’s disappearance. During this time, the wife of the journalist also died possibly due to the toll it took on her health, leaving behind her son.
Date: August 21, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The return of YouTuber Aun Ali Khosa, a satirist and social media activist, brought much relief to his family and supporters. But it also raised some unsettling questions about the state of free expression in the country.
Court rejects bail pleas of accused in journalist’s murder case
Date: August 27, 2024 – Source: The News
The District and Sessions Court in Ghotki rejected the bail pleas of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) leader Khalid Lund and his sons Shahbaz Lund and Noor Muhammad Lund in the murder case of journalist Nasrullah Gadani.
Journalist gunned down in Ghotki
Date: August 28, 2024 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: The News
Journalist Bachal Ghunio was gunned down in Ghotki district. Locals blamed dacoits for the killing. According to the police, the deceased had gone to his fields when attacked.
Quetta Press Club barred from hosting vents without NOC due to ‘law and order’ situation
Date: August 28, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The local administration barred the Quetta Press Club (QPC) from hosting events by organizations and political parties without a no-objection certificate (NOC) citing ‘worsening law and order’ situation.
Date: August 30, 2024 – Source: Dawn
The state’s decision to curb activities at the Quetta Press Club (QPC) is, in fact, a move towards enforcing censorship. The district administration had earlier ordered the press club to stop holding seminars and conferences without a no-objection certificate (NOC).
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.
