The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), have called upon all political parties in Pakistan to sign a declaration that they will not support any move to pass anti-media laws after national elections on January 8.
PFUJ’s President, Huma Ali, and Secretary General, Mazhar Abbas, will meet the heads of all political parties to request they sign the declaration regarding their position on amendments to the Registration of Printing and Publication Ordinance, RPPO-2002, and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, PEMRA-2002. The amendments, which severely restrict media freedom, were made after President Pervez Musharraf imposed a state of emergency on November 3.
The emergency decrees were lifted on December 15, restoring the Constitution’s Article 19, which promotes freedom of expression. However, PFUJ said restrictions remained against the media under the amended ordinances, including bans on live coverage of election issues or events.
"Media has not been free since November 3, when the emergency was imposed, and nor is it free now," PFUJ said. "Article 19 has been restored, but why then are two private television channels — GEO and Royal — not permitted to resume their transmissions?”
Pressure on media institutions to sign the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority’s code of conduct, which contradicts the principles of a free and independent media, negate claims made by the President that he supports media freedom, PFUJ added. Rather than being forced to sign a government-controlled code, a complaints council comprising independent people should be appointed, it said.
PFUJ will invite political leaders, senior editors, activists, lawyers and civil society members to join “protest camps” that will continue until January 10. PFUJ plans to call for a big rally outside Parliament during the first sessions of the National Assembly after the election. Journalists from throughout the country are expected to participate.
“It is disingenuous for Pakistan’s authorities to claim the country enjoys media freedom when arbitrary bans remain in place. All restrictions on all media in Pakistan must be lifted,” said IFJ’s Asia-Pacific Director, Jacqueline Park.
