One can only condemn in the strongest terms the Balochistan government for filing FIR against ARY TV channel. The crime of the channel was that in one of its documentaries, it tried to give an insight into the attack on Ziarat Residency.
The spokesman for CM, justifying the the FIR, said Chief Minister Malik Baloch had no hand in registering the case, and that it was done on the Supreme Court's orders.
The statement sowed seeds of doubt in the minds of many when they heard that the CM of the province had no knowledge or say when an FIR was lodged against a media outlet. Also, had it been the SC's order, he would not have been able to withdraw the report filed in the police station.
Also, in a country where even IG level officers will not proceed against low-level politicians without the backing of government of the day, the CM's spokesman wants the nation to believe that an SHO can have the courage to register a case against a TV channel.
CM Baloch sounded even more unconvincing than his spokesman when he said he had withdrawn the case, as it was the result of a misunderstanding. After saying so, however, he could not refrain from criticising the ARY channel airing the documentary. The CM's criticism may have clearly shown us the love he has for the freedom of the press.
It is more shameful; however, that instead of locating the terrorists, the Balochistan government declared the journalists exposing the modus operandi of the terrorists, as terrorists and registered a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
If we believe that the FIR was registered without the CM's knowledge, it will mean it is not the political government but the bureaucracy which is running the show in Balochistan.
Is it now to be believed we are returning to the Raisani government style of governance, when the political set up, especially, the chief minister Balochistan stayed aloof from the affairs of the province and only made unbelievable excuses for the excesses of the officials?
It seems the Balochistan government is unable to control violence in the province and wants its failures not to be exposed. By its action against a media house, it may have wanted to test the waters and see if the nation will accept action against the media in the name of security. Had the action been accepted without much ado, more such intimidating instances could have followed.
Unwise as the action against the TV channel was, it was also a desperate one. The media is the eyes and ears of the general public and the government. Only governments made up of the naïve will try to shut its eyes and ears in a democratic setup. Problems don't go away if they are not reported; they get worse.
It was also reckless because the freedom to the media has not been the grant of any past or present government; civilian or otherwise: It has been hard earned and the cost has been huge. Many journalists lost their lives; many went to jails in the struggle. The freedom they have achieved is irreversible and the struggle still goes because even now Pakistan is a high risk country for journalists.
The case against ARY staff reminded many of General Zia's regime. It was withdrawn only when journalists, civil society and many other quarters expressed disdain on the outrageously dictatorial action of the elected provincial government.
The Frontier Post (FP) strongly condemns the Balochistan government's action even though it was short lived. This paper is against unlicensed freedom but will fight tooth and nail against efforts to curtail legitimate freedom
of expression.
The FP has too many times been made victim for its independent policies and unwavering support for the freedom of expression of other media outlets. Such hardships have not stopped this paper or any other section of the media from propagating truth. We strongly stand by ARY channel and all its staff and management on this occasion and will do so in the future in such circumstances.
This paper also reminds PM Nawaz that he has been chosen for the third term to lead the country and all the three times he has been elected democratically. As such it is his obligations to safeguard democratic norms; freedom of the press being one of them. He should weed out bureaucrats who insist on clinging to dictatorial practices. He should also publicly declare and insist on openness in his government and where his party is in coalition.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Pakistan: Attack on media
One can only condemn in the strongest terms the Balochistan government for filing FIR against ARY TV channel. The crime of the channel was that in one of its documentaries, it tried to give an insight into the attack on Ziarat Residency.
The spokesman for CM, justifying the the FIR, said Chief Minister Malik Baloch had no hand in registering the case, and that it was done on the Supreme Court's orders.
The statement sowed seeds of doubt in the minds of many when they heard that the CM of the province had no knowledge or say when an FIR was lodged against a media outlet. Also, had it been the SC's order, he would not have been able to withdraw the report filed in the police station.
Also, in a country where even IG level officers will not proceed against low-level politicians without the backing of government of the day, the CM's spokesman wants the nation to believe that an SHO can have the courage to register a case against a TV channel.
CM Baloch sounded even more unconvincing than his spokesman when he said he had withdrawn the case, as it was the result of a misunderstanding. After saying so, however, he could not refrain from criticising the ARY channel airing the documentary. The CM's criticism may have clearly shown us the love he has for the freedom of the press.
It is more shameful; however, that instead of locating the terrorists, the Balochistan government declared the journalists exposing the modus operandi of the terrorists, as terrorists and registered a case against them under the Anti-Terrorism Act.
If we believe that the FIR was registered without the CM's knowledge, it will mean it is not the political government but the bureaucracy which is running the show in Balochistan.
Is it now to be believed we are returning to the Raisani government style of governance, when the political set up, especially, the chief minister Balochistan stayed aloof from the affairs of the province and only made unbelievable excuses for the excesses of the officials?
It seems the Balochistan government is unable to control violence in the province and wants its failures not to be exposed. By its action against a media house, it may have wanted to test the waters and see if the nation will accept action against the media in the name of security. Had the action been accepted without much ado, more such intimidating instances could have followed.
Unwise as the action against the TV channel was, it was also a desperate one. The media is the eyes and ears of the general public and the government. Only governments made up of the naïve will try to shut its eyes and ears in a democratic setup. Problems don't go away if they are not reported; they get worse.
It was also reckless because the freedom to the media has not been the grant of any past or present government; civilian or otherwise: It has been hard earned and the cost has been huge. Many journalists lost their lives; many went to jails in the struggle. The freedom they have achieved is irreversible and the struggle still goes because even now Pakistan is a high risk country for journalists.
The case against ARY staff reminded many of General Zia's regime. It was withdrawn only when journalists, civil society and many other quarters expressed disdain on the outrageously dictatorial action of the elected provincial government.
The Frontier Post (FP) strongly condemns the Balochistan government's action even though it was short lived. This paper is against unlicensed freedom but will fight tooth and nail against efforts to curtail legitimate freedom
of expression.
The FP has too many times been made victim for its independent policies and unwavering support for the freedom of expression of other media outlets. Such hardships have not stopped this paper or any other section of the media from propagating truth. We strongly stand by ARY channel and all its staff and management on this occasion and will do so in the future in such circumstances.
This paper also reminds PM Nawaz that he has been chosen for the third term to lead the country and all the three times he has been elected democratically. As such it is his obligations to safeguard democratic norms; freedom of the press being one of them. He should weed out bureaucrats who insist on clinging to dictatorial practices. He should also publicly declare and insist on openness in his government and where his party is in coalition.
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