KARACHI: President of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Khushnood Ali Khan and Secretary General Amir Mahmood, in a joint statement issued here on Monday, condemned a political party for burning the copies of the Daily Jang and Daily The News, damaging vehicles of the two newspapers, issuing threats to newspaper hawkers and making efforts to close the telecasts of Geo News and ARY News.

The leaders of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors termed these efforts of the political party attack on freedom of the media. They expressed regret and anger over such conduct against the media during the tenure of a democratic government.

They demanded of the government to ensure freedom of the media according to Article 19-A of the Constitution. It appears from these activities of the workers and office-holders of the ruling political party that it has let them lose giving full liberty to carry out illegal and immoral activities against the media.

The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors reminded that such behaviour of the ruling political party’s workers was against its manifesto. It will not only damage the stature of the party but such incidents would also benefit the elements bent upon weakening the democratic system in the country.

The leaders of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors also said in the statement that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure freedom of the media and prepare a code of conduct for all the political parties.

They demanded of the government to activate the Pakistan Press Council. The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors leaders said it was the basic duty of the media to bring facts before the public.

All the political parties should understand that democratic values and democratic institutions can become strong in the country when there is freedom of the media. The CPNE warned that such incidents would weaken democracy and strengthen dictatorial trends.

All the democratic forces should, therefore, check the anti-media forces. The CPNE leaders revived their pledge to continue to confront all such anti-media steps. It was also announced in the statement that a joint meeting of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors and the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) would be held at 3.30pm at the CPNE Secretariat on Tuesday.
Source: The News
Date:8/10/2010