PAKISTAN MEDIA MONITOR – November 2023
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. 3, No. 11 – November 2023 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
Major changes in Ministry of Information likely
Date: November 1, 2023 – Source: The News
Major changes are likely in the senior bureaucracy of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The ministry plans to replace eight officers and it has sent the plan to the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) for approval.
Supreme Court’s audit reports sought through Article 19-A
Date: November 2, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) faces another test on the question of transparency. A citizen, who earlier sought information about the apex court’s staff, reminded the court to act on its application through which he requested audit reports of five years under Article 19-A of the Constitution.
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
PPPP president claims television anchorpersons were hired for propaganda against him
Date: November 5, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Pakistan Peoples Party-Parliamentarians president Asif Ali Zardari said that when he had surrendered certain powers to the parliament through the 18th constitutional amendment, certain anchorpersons were ‘booked and paid’ to talk against him on television.
ECP to move PEMRA over ‘polls delay propaganda’
Date: November 30, 2023 – Source: The News
The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) decided to move the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) against ‘propaganda regarding a delay in general elections’ on social and digital media.
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
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa governor promises media colony for journalists in Dera Ismail Khan
Date: November 17, 2023 – Source 1: Associated Press of Pakistan (APP), Source 2: Dawn
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Haji Ghulam Ali said that a media colony would be established for journalists of Dera Ismail Khan as three sites have been identified for the purpose.
APNS concerned at non-payment of advertisement dues by federal, provincial governments
Date: November 21, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Business Recorder (BR)
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) expressed its concern over the non-payment of advertisement dues by the federal and provincial governments despite various assurances by the respective governments.
Prime Minister directs authorities to ensure payment of advertisement dues to newspapers
Date: November 24, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to coordinate with relevant departments and ensure payment of advertisement dues to newspapers.
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
Journalist claims former ISI chief tried to influence television channels through illegal orders
Date: November 1, 2023 – Source: The News
Former Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) chairman Absar Alam claimed that former Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) chief Faiz Hameed and his subordinates attempted to influence television channels through illegal orders during a sit-in by a religious party in 2017.
Afghan journalists in Pakistan concerned as deadline for voluntary deportation looms
Date: November 1, 2023 – Source 1: Voice of America (VOA), Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Hundreds of Afghan journalists who escaped to Pakistan since the Taliban takeover expressed concern regarding the policy of not granting visa extensions and deportation adopted by the Pakistani government.
Kohat administration forms body to probe attack on television reporter
Date: November 2, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The district administration in Kohat constituted a high-level police team to investigate an attack on television reporter Syed Yasir Shah, who worked for a private news channel.
On key day for journalist, Pakistan grapples with unresolved murders
Date: November 2, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Asian News International (ANI)
As the world prepared to observe the International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists, Pakistan continued to grapple with resolving 97 murder cases concerning journalists and media professionals over the last 30 years.
Date: November 2, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The International Day to End Impunity for Crimes against Journalists is a day when attention turns to the extreme pressures and injustices journalists face in the line of duty. The culture of impunity is what allows the cycle of violence against media professionals in Pakistan to continue.
Caretaker Prime Minister emphasizes on protecting media rights
Date: November 3, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Speaking to a delegation of the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), caretaker Prime Minister Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar said that protecting the rights of media representatives is the responsibility of the state.
UNESCO calls for safety of journalists during election duties
Date: November 3, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: UNESCO
The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNSECO) called for the protection of media persons during election duties. The UN body published new data highlighting the rise in violence against journalists during election periods in Pakistan.
PPP leader links media independence to political freedom
Date: November 3, 2023 – Source: The News
President of Pakistan Peoples Party’s (PPP) Human Rights Cell Farhatullah Babar said the independence of media was linked to with the independence of politics and political parties which in turn depended on a fair and free elections.
PEMRA issues directive banning statements of banned outfits on television channels
Date: November 4, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a directive to all satellite-based news, current affairs and regional channels prohibiting the broadcast of statements issued by outfits banned by the federal government.
Court calls murdered journalist’s heirs to verify compromise with rest of accused
Date: November 4, 2023 – Source: The News
A sessions court in Karachi directed the legal heirs of slain journalist Nazim Jokhio to appear in person to record statements in connection with an out-of-court settlement reached with three more accused persons in the case.
Supreme Court voids PEMRA’s bid to vest its chief with all powers
Date: November 5, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) struck down a decision of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to centralize its powers in the hands of its chairperson, directing the media watchdog to establish formal rules in this regard.
PFUJ demands consultation on election code of conduct for journalists
Date: November 5, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) demanded the formation of a council of complaints, as per the PEMRA Amendment Act, before implementing the media code of conduct for upcoming general elections.
Sindh High Court suspends media regulator’s ban against airing Imran Khan’s speeches
Date: November 15, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended a ban issued by Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) on broadcasting speeches by Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) chairman Imran Khan.
Lahore High Court stays indictment of journalist
Date: November 15, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Lahore High Court (LHC) stayed the indictment of journalist Rizwan-ur-Rehman Razi by a trial court in a case registered against him by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) on charges of defamation and hate speech.
Imran Khan backs out of promise to sue news channel for defamation in the United Kingdom
Date: November 17, 2023 – Source: The News
A year after announcing that he will sue Geo News and anchorperson Shahzaib Khanzada for defamation in the United Kingdom, former prime minister Imran Khan backed out of his pledge as his lawyers failed to serve any legal proceedings.
PFUJ to stage march against police failure to arrest journalist’s killers
Date: November 17, 2023 – Source: The News
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) announced it will stage a protest march in Karachi against the failure of the police to arrest the killers of journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar.
Anchorperson granted bail in cybercrime case
Date: November 17, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
A sessions court in Lahore granted pre-arrest bail to anchorperson Imran Riaz Khan in a case of running a ‘malicious’ campaign against law enforcement agencies on social media.
CDM condemns attack on journalist
Date: November 20, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Chitral Development Movement (CDM) condemned the attack on journalist Gul Hamaad Farooqi during his coverage of substandard construction by a private contracting company in Chitral.
PFUJ to continue protest against journalist’s murder
Date: November 20, 2023 – Source: The News
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) decided to continue its protest movement against the murder of journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar and gave a call for countrywide protest rallies and demonstrations.
Faizabad probe commission to take video record from PEMRA
Date: November 21, 2023 – Source: The News
The Faizabad sit-in inquiry commission decided to take video records related to the sit-in from the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to further their investigation.
Police claim arrest of main suspect in journalist’s murder case
Date: November 22, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Police authorities claimed to have arrested one of the prime suspects nominated in the murder case of journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar. The suspect was wounded before being arrested in an operation in Sukkur.
Enforced disappearances, curbs on media take center stage in Pakistan’s GSP+ review
Date: November 22, 2023 – Source 1: Express Tribune, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
In its review of Pakistan’s GSP+ preferential trade status, the European Union (EU) highlighted the issues of enforced disappearances and shrinking media freedom.
Sukkur police arrest three suspects for harboring journalist’s killers
Date: November 22, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Sukkur police claimed apprehending three individuals on charges of harboring and facilitating the accused in the murder case of journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar.
Orders to lift media ban on PTI leaders suspended
Date: November 23, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended its earlier order about lifting a ban on the media coverage of Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) and its leadership in the aftermath of May 9 riots.
Date: November 23, 2023 – Source: Dawn
More than three months have passed and yet the authorities are nowhere close to solving the murder of journalist Jan Muhammad Mahar in Sukkur. He was ambushed in his car and shot multiple times by unidentified persons.
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.
