PAKISTAN MEDIA MONITOR – December 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. 4, No. 12 – December 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
PBC ordinance, others promulgated to ‘fulfill IMF commitments’
Date: December 1, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The president promulgated four ordinances, including the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (Amendment) Ordinance 2023, to restructure the manage systems of government institutions in line with the commitment made to the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Balochistan grapples with right to know delays
Date: December 1, 2023 – Source: Express Tribune
During a seminar conducted by the Center for Peace and Development Studies (CPDI), speakers emphasized the urgent need for the implementation of the Balochistan Right to Information Act 2021 and the establishment of the Balochistan Information Commission (BIC).
Polls transparency in question sans online access to lawmakers’ assets
Date: December 3, 2023 – Source: Dawn
As the Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) failed to digitize and upload the statements of assets and liabilities filed by the legislators, it is restricting transparency and access to knowledge even about the unrealistic wealth statements filed by provincial and federal lawmakers.
Seeing the battlefield through a soda straw
Date: December 3, 2023 – Source: The News
Freedom of expression and freedom of information are routinely put forward as mandatory props for a democratic society. Known democracies have been found hideously wanting in upholding these values during the conduct of a conflict.
ETPB employee accused of harassing journalist exercising RTI act
Date: December 10, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Journalist Sadia Mazhar raised concerns regarding alleged harassment by an employee of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) while seeking information under the Right to Information Act.
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
For a vulnerable nation, Pakistan’s climate coverage ‘leaves a lot to be desired’
Date: December 4, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The state of climate reporting in Pakistan remains ad-hoc and event related. Media houses rarely employ specialized climate reporters. This remains a dangerous disconnect in a country that has been unable to exit the top ten bracket of the global climate vulnerability index.
Islamabad High Court directs television channel to broadcast apology to journalist
Date: December 5, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Islamabad High Court (IHC) directed a private television channel to issue an apology and pay Rs50,000 damages to journalist Asma Sherazi for defamatory reporting against her.
NCSW emphasizes media’s role in curbing violence against women
Date: December 8, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Speaking at a refresher course in Islamabad, the Chairperson of the National Commission on the Status of Women (NCSW) Nilofar Bakhtiar said that the role of media and media practioners was vital in curbing violence against women in Pakistan.
GISN recognizes eight stories from Pakistan in list of top investigative stories of the year
Date: December 11, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Global Investigative Journalism Network (GISN)
The Global Investigative Journalism Network (GISN) recognized eight stories from Pakistan in its list of the top investigative stories of the year. The stories included both print and video reports.
Jang/Geo group defamation case against Imran Khan pending for five years
Date: December 11, 2023 – Source: The News
Additional District and Sessions Judge Syed Mohammad Haroon rejected the request of Imran Khan for pardoning Rs7,000 fines imposed on him for seeking repeated adjournments in a Rs1 billion defamation case filed by the Jang/Geo group five years ago.
Azad Kashmir government tables defamation law in assembly amid protest by journalists
Date: December 14, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government tabled a piece of law in the legislative assembly to ‘curb defamation’ in a move opposition and media persons maintained will suppress freedom of expression.
Professional ethics and stereotypical portrayal of women in media discussed
Date: December 15, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Academics, television channel heads and journalists discussed ways to minimize the stereotypical portrayal of women in the media during an event organized by the Trust for Democratic Education and Accountability in Karachi.
Khawar Maneka’s allegations spark debate over media coverage of politicians’ private lives
Date: December 15, 2023 – Source: The News
Should the media cover political sex scandals or not? The debate is as old as these scandals are. Despite the ethical, social and legal questions, the media coverage of extramarital affairs of politicians has continued.
Date: December 17, 2023 – Source: Dawn
News media is a profit-driven business. That model, which does not practice journalism in the public interest, creates a less-informed citizenry. It’s why we need to amplify voices calling for public journalism.
United Kingdom court finds television channel defamed Pakistani singer
Date: December 18, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Hum News
A United Kingdom (UK) High Court hearing a defamation claim brought by Pakistani-Canadian singer Meesha Shafi against private channel New Vision TV, the broadcaster of ARY UK, found that the channel had defamed her during a show broadcasted in December 2020.
Date: December 18, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Music has the power to unleash and tame emotions. It also has darker charms that do not soothe, but inflame the beast, making it savage. Hate music is played to whip up supporters in countries entangled in war.
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
Pakistan Railways extends journalist concession cards for two months
Date: December 8, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Pakistan Railways decided to extend the validity of the Journalist Concession Card (JCC) for two months. The card allows registered journalists and media practitioners to avail discounted rates for travel on the state transporter’s services.
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
Lahore High Court seeks response from PBA regarding ban on broadcast of Imran Khan’s speeches
Date: December 2, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Lahore High Court (LHC) sought a written response from the Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) on a petition filed against the ban on broadcast of speeches by former prime minister Imran Khan.
Cipher case: ‘Open trial’ of Imran Khan, Shah Mehmood begins in Adiala jail
Date: December 3, 2023 – Source: The News
Local and international journalists, who were present outside Adiala jail’s premises to cover the ‘open trial’ of Imran Khan and Shah Mehmood Qureshi were not allowed to do so as the attendance of the accused were marked before placing an adjournment on the case.
Freedom Network to work with stakeholders to assist Afghan journalists in Pakistan
Date: December 6, 2023 – Source: Freedom Network (FN)
Freedom Network (FN), in collaboration with Reporters Without Borders (RSF), launched an advocacy campaign and capacity building trainings to help Afghan refugee journalists in Pakistan.
Federal Investigation Agency court quashes case against journalist
Date: December 6, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The special court of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) acquitted journalist Khalid Jamil in a case registered against him for allegedly ‘sharing and propagating highly intimidating content against state institutions on social media’.
Kenyan media outlet asserts Pakistani journalist’s killing was ‘not an accident’
Date: December 6, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Kenyan media outlet NTV broadcasted an investigative report asserting that the killing of Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif near Nairobi was a ‘well-planned murder’, and not an accident.
PEMRA vows ‘strict action’ against channels for speculative reporting on national polls
Date: December 7, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued a directive for all satellite television channels asking them to comply with its code of conduct by ensuring no speculative or false information regarding the general elections was aired or face ‘strict action’.
RSF seeks global, independent probe into Pakistani journalist’s murder case
Date: December 7, 2023 – Source 1: Reporters Without Borders (RSF), Source 2: Dawn
Reporters Without Borders (RSF) called for an independent international investigation into Pakistani journalist Arshad Sharif’s murder in Kenya after two special United Nations (UN) rapporteurs wrote to the Pakistani and Kenyan authorities deploring their failure to conduct a serious investigation.
SHC suspends PEMRA directives to television channels on hate speech propagators
Date: December 9, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
The Sindh High Court (SHC) suspended the directives of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) issued to television channels for not allowing airtime to individuals who propagate hate speech and provoke public sentiments against the federation and state institutions.
Supreme Court panel to decide on live telecast of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto reference
Date: December 9, 2023 – Source 1: The News, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Daily Times
The Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) constituted a two-member committee to decide on the live telecast of a presidential reference filed concerning the murder case of former prime minister Zufiqar Ali Bhutto.
Sindh government considering demand for head money on journalist’s killers
Date: December 10, 2023 – Source: Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)
Sindh Caretaker Information and Minority Affairs Minister Ahmed Shah said that the Sindh government was considering the demand by media practitioners to fix head money on the killers of journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar.
PFUJ hints at launching ‘court arrest’ movement if reporter’s killers are not arrested
Date: December 11, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Leaders of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) hinted at launching a ‘court arrest’ movement in Sindh if murderers of journalist Jan Mohammad Mahar were not brought justice.
PPP seeks live telecast of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto reference
Date: December 12, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Pakistan Today, Source 3: Express Tribune
Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari requested the Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP) to order the live-streaming of a long-pending presidential reference seeking to revisit the 1979 death sentence awarded to former prime minister Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto.
Cipher trial coverage banned as hearings deemed in-camera
Date: December 15, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Special Court (Official Secrets Act) conducting the trial of former prime minister Imran Khan and ex-foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi barred the coverage of its proceedings on all mainstream media outlets, as well as social media.
Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf to challenge in-camera trial in cipher case
Date: December 16, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI) decided to challenge the Special Court’s (Official Secrets Act) decision of conducting in-camera trial of ex-premier Imran Khan and foreign minister Shah Mehmood Qureshi in the cipher case, with a resumption of ban on attendance of reporters for media coverage.
Date: December 17, 2023 – Source: The News
A scholar at the Academic Freedom Conference observed that a culture of silence had engulfed academia in Pakistan. Diverse perspectives and open dialogue have become a thing of the past as academics and students appear reluctant to engage in critical discourse.
Lahore High Court directs PEMRA to ensure every party gets level playing field
Date: December 21, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Lahore High Court (LHC) directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to ensure that level playing field is given to all political parties regarding broadcasting of their content and speeches.
Media bodies decry curbs on journalism, content coverage
Date: December 12, 2023 – Source 1: Dawn, Source 2: Express Tribune, Source 3: Arab News
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Editors (AEMEND) and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) called on the judiciary to intervene against growing censorship and pressure on the media from state institutions.
Date: December 23, 2023 – Source: Dawn
From military coercion to fatal attacks, journalists in Pakistan have lived through testing times. The current situation, however, is becoming more dystopian, with the media operating under heavy pressure, unannounced censorship and harassment.
Date: December 23, 2023 – Source: The News
Journalism is often called the fourth pillar of democracy. But over the years, efforts have been made to make this important pillar toothless. Censorship, threats, and attempts made to block advertising revenue for media outlets have badly hit press freedom in Pakistan.
Pakistani student bodies in UK slam ‘censorship, political victimization’
Date: December 25, 2023 – Source: Dawn
Pakistani student societies form some of the United Kingdom’s major universities released a joint statement condemning the ongoing censorship and political victimization in the country.
Ministry questions president’s discretion related to PCP chairman’s appointment
Date: December 31, 2023 – Source: Dawn
The Ministry of Law and Justice submitted an opinion to the Islamabad High Court (IHC) in the case concerning the appointment of the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) chairman, questioning the president’s discretion in the matter.
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.
