Reporters Without Borders condemned the “show-cause notice” which the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) today sent to privately-owned Aaj TV, threatening it with closure because of its coverage of a crisis, resulting from the supreme court president’s dismissal that has been very embarrassing for President Pervez Musharraf.

Citing a supreme judicial council order restricting coverage of the crisis, the notice warns the station that its licence could be withdrawn if it does not amend its programme content and if its’ CEO does not present himself to the PEMRA within three days to defend the station from the charge that it has been breaking the rules.

The PEMRA has also warned all TV stations not to broadcast programmes denigrating the judiciary or attacking the “integrity of the armed forces of Pakistan.”

Reporters Without Borders voices its support for Aaj TV and calls on the PEMRA to stop putting pressure on television stations by threatening to withdraw their licences. One of Aaj TV’s executives said the station would defend its editorial independence

Source: Reporters Without Borders
Date:4/24/2007