Karachi (PPI) — Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), criticized the role of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), in suppressing the freedom of expression and pressurizing the private tv channels through different tactic and demanded new set-up of PEMRA, whose Chairman and members should be nominated by the Parliament.
PFUJ also demanded new Chairman of the PEMRA, who should either be a retired judge of the Supreme Court or someone with vast media experience, known for its integrity, competence or even someone qualified under PEMRA’s own law.
Its also demanded that the 12-member board should not be nominated by the government but by the Parliament so that it can function independtly. Parliament, a supreme body, must ensure that bodies like PEMRA are independent in its functioning unlike the present set up of PEMRA, as it takes action against channels which are too critical.
PFUJ warned that if major changes were not brought in PEMRA Law and if media owners, Parliament did not take the issue seriously this law will be use against electronic media in the same manner in which black law Pakistan Press and Publication Ordinance, was used against the print media for over 40-years.
It welcomed the debate in the National Assembly over the role of PEMRA, but was surprised that at a time when the Journalists of print and electronic media, International Journalists bodies, legislatures and civil society raising their voice over the action of PEMRA against different private tv channels including Aaj, ARYONE WORLD, Royal, TV Today, the owners body Pakistan Broadcasters Association on Thursday, invited the PEMRA Chairman to inaugurate its Secretariat in Karachi.
PFUJ said Its really surprising that Aaj tv notice was never withdrawn but the channel got it suspended from the court, but PBA praises the role of PEMRA Chairman. The recent action taken by PEMRA against above mentioned channels as well as withholding v license, uplinking of some other channels.
It also demanded safety and security measures like insurance, safety jackets for reporters and cameramen covering conflicts, training programmers for the Journalists, cameramen.
Source: Nation
Date:4/28/2007
