August 2013 - Pakistan Media Commission Review

Participants of moot review recommendations of Media Commission

August 27, 2013

Experts of civil society, owners of private TV channels, representatives of associations of electronic and print media and advertisers, teachers and students of Mass-communication Department University of Karachi and others have reviewed the recommendations of Media Commission appointed by Supreme Court of Pakistan. This review was held at a roundtable event jointly organised by Citizens’ Initiatives on Media Issues (CIMI), and Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung (FES) in collaboration with Department of Mass-Communications, University of Karachi here at a local hotel on Monday. Philipp Kauppert, Resident Director, FES, Pakistan said that media of Pakistan is developing day-by-day, but it needs some reforms. He said

Misuse of powers to control advertising and secret funds

August 26, 2013

One proprietor of a major media house stated that Government misused its powers on control of advertising and of secret funds to conduct character assassination of individuals such as himself and of his media group because of the independent policies of his group and candid criticism of Governmental corruption, miss-governance and nepotism. He said that despite the fact that his media group paid the highest levels of tax to the public exchequer, unfounded and exaggerated claims were filed by Government entities against his media group in order to harass him and his associates and to defame names and reputations as

Hostility against independent journalism and editorial policy

August 26, 2013

They ascribe the reason for such hostility against them by the Government to their independent journalism and editorial policy in both print media and broadcast media. They stated that their media was often deprived of their fair share of Government-controlled advertising due to their refusal to toe the line of the Government-of-the-day including particularly the Federal Government in office from 2008-2013. Though, on the face of it, this Government tolerated extreme and harsh criticism of its policies and leaders by the media, in actual practice, in several instances, Government took actions to reduce allocations of Government advertising in disproportion to

Media houses have been systematically discriminated

August 26, 2013

Senior representatives of major media houses conveyed to the Commission in person that, notwithstanding a written policy and procedure aiming for merit-based allocation of Government advertising and notwithstanding claims made in speeches and statements made by public office holders of the Government of the day at the Federal and the Provincial level, they have been systematically discriminated against and, de facto, persecuted.

Comments are not identified by name in the Notes of Meetings

August 26, 2013

In most of such cases, the names and organizations were made part of either Part-One or Part-Two of this Report However, as in the case of some information and views conveyed in confidence to the Commission, on the request of the persons concerned, their comments are not identified by name in the Notes of Meetings which constitutes Section-III of Part-Two of this Report.

Observations and recommendations made by representatives

August 26, 2013

The Commission noted with respect and appreciation the deep interest taken by all the groups and forums from civil society, directly and indirectly concerned with media issues. Their names and their views are part of the Notes of Meetings. The Commission is of the opinion that both the Government entities concerned with the information and media sectors as well as the private media firms in both print and electronic sectors should take careful note of the pertinent observations and recommendations made by representatives of women’s groups, social media activists, forums such as the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, South Asian

Interaction with stakeholders, business, media and government entities

August 26, 2013

In addition to interacting with the stakeholders with commercial business relations with the media sector and Government entities, the Commission also as recorded in Part-One of its Report, met with several representatives of groups, organizations and institutions from civil society with an interest in media issues as also with representatives of working journalists, audience-measurement agencies that provide the rating system for electronic media, former and serving chief executives of corporations.

Notable number of media professionals possess integrity and competence

August 26, 2013

The Commission would like to stress that, neither in the instances cited in Part-One of the Report dealing with TOR No. F nor in the above instances is there an intention to disregard the fact that there is a notable number of publishers, media owners, editors, working journalists in print and broadcast media and other media specialists who possess integrity and competence of the highest order. They fulfill their responsibilities with courage, character and competence.

Prevention of independent scrutiny of print and electronic media

August 26, 2013

Cross-media ownership prevents independent scrutiny by print media of the content, standards and policies of the electronic media owned by the same group. And vice versa while this is not a conventional “corrupt practice”, cross-media ownership deprives citizens from access to independent evaluation of the content of various media.

Vital and essential role of state-owned electronic media

August 25, 2013

Thus, to recap: One view about TOR No. C is that, “Yes”, that the government and its instrumentalities have a valid right and role to be major players in electronic media and that this presence is entirely consistent with the fundamental right under Article 19 which it does not contradict in any way. From this viewpoint, it is stated that, particularly with the advent of privately-owned electronic media in Pakistan onwards of 2000-2002 with the predominant content and tone of the private electronic media being extremely critical and harsh about the Government-of-the-day, the presence of the State-owned electronic media under

A response to this particular Term of Reference No. C

August 25, 2013

A response to this particular. TOR No. C is already partly covered by the Observations and Recommendations for TOR No. A. Further, other aspects of TOR No. C e.g. with regard to whether the Government or its instrumentalities should be major players in the media through State television and radio broadcasters will also be partly covered by Observations and Recommendations being made by the Commission for TOR No. D which will follow immediately after this brief section on TOR No. C.

TOR No. E

August 25, 2013

Minister or a Minister for visits such acceptance of complimentary support also erodes the capacity for independent journalism. Acceptance of secret payments from institutions other than the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting in the public sector e.g. other Ministries and Departments, civil and military intelligence agencies or the private corporate sector. 4. Prevention of independent scrutiny of print and electronic media. 5. Notable number of media professionals possess integrity and competence. The response by the Commission to TOR No. F as provided by the Hon’ble Court is meant to cover those aspects of media and those persons related to the

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Unlicensed religious channels on, licensed Geo off: Javed Jabbar

Govt can terminate Pemra members for violating rules: Media Commission member

BHC’s CJ asks media not to spread gloom

An extensive list of proposals by the media commission

State-run TV urged to set example for private TV channels

Experts discuss pros and cons of media’s role in society

Month: August 2013

Participants of moot review recommendations of Media Commission

Misuse of powers to control advertising and secret funds

Hostility against independent journalism and editorial policy

Media houses have been systematically discriminated

Comments are not identified by name in the Notes of Meetings

Observations and recommendations made by representatives

Interaction with stakeholders, business, media and government entities

Notable number of media professionals possess integrity and competence

Prevention of independent scrutiny of print and electronic media

Vital and essential role of state-owned electronic media

A response to this particular Term of Reference No. C

TOR No. E

State-run TV urged to set example for private TV channels

Responsible journalism: Media needs an ombudsman to regulate controversial content says Jabbar

Code of Ethics – Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE)

State media were heavily lop-sided in favor of the Government

Ethical do’s and don’ts for media discussed

Participants of moot review recommendations of Media Commission

Misuse of powers to control advertising and secret funds

Hostility against independent journalism and editorial policy

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News about Media Commission

Experts discuss pros and cons of media’s role in society

Unlicensed religious channels on, licensed Geo off: Javed Jabbar

Govt can terminate Pemra members for violating rules: Media Commission member

BHC’s CJ asks media not to spread gloom

State-run TV urged to set example for private TV channels

Experts discuss pros and cons of media’s role in society

Responsible journalism: Media needs an ombudsman to regulate controversial content says Jabbar