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Media urged to show solidarity on issues of press freedom
LAHORE: Representatives of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, Lahore Press Club and South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), print and broadcast journalists met in Lahore at the South Asian Media Centre on Wednesday and passed a resolution. Its text follows:
Resolution: Condemning the heinous attack on Hamid Mir and threats to other journalists, and a campaign of harassment of media persons from various quarters, alarmed by increasing tension between media and security establishment and the moves to gag media houses and media persons, encouraged by the response of the media, working journalists, civil society, political parties and international media community in solidarity with Hamid Mir and other journalists under threat, perturbed by the rivalries among various media houses that are undermining freedom of expression and solidarity and security of the journalists community, noting the concerns expressed by the ISPR to the allegations levelled by Hamid Mir’s family members and colleagues indicating the alleged suspects behind the attack, appreciating the appointment of a judicial commission by the chief justice of Pakistan, legal course being opted by the ministry of defence and caution now being shown by the Jang Group, concerned about the current nominated structure of the PEMRA, which may be used to victimise one or the other media group, calling for caution and restraint from all sides to let the judicial commission and independent inquiry take its due course to a logical conclusion, we emphasise:
a.The right to life, freedom of expression, fundamental rights, accountability of all, observance of media ethics and security of journalists must be upheld and cannot be compromised on any pretext whatsoever;
b.Unity among all sections of media must be kept on freedom of press/expression and security of journalists, regardless of any kind of differences;
c.Restrictions and prohibitions on media and harassment of media persons is not to be condoned
d.A free media, independent judiciary, sovereign parliament and civil and political rights are the imperatives of modern day nationhood and civil-military, media-military relations are to be defined within the parameters of democratic values and constitutional framework
We demand:
1.An independent inquiry must be ensured and the Judicial Commission must investigate not only the Hamid Mir case but also all aspects of the conflict between media and the security establishment to not only find the real culprits but also propose such measures as could ensure the security of journalists from various quarters. Findings of the Judicial Commission be made public and implemented.
2.All media houses must observe media ethics and demonstrate solidarity on the issues of media freedom and security of media persons, instead of indulging in mudslinging against each other.
3.Media must avoid casting aspersions against any segment of national institutions and all state institutions must respect right to life and fundamental rights, including press freedom.
4.No measures to curb press freedom will be acceptable by the media community, civil society and democratic forces.
5.Restraint and caution must be observed by all sides and no interference be allowed in the affairs of the media by various arms of executive.
6.Media should evolve its code of ethics and observe it diligently.
7.PEMRA should be reconstituted making it a bipartisan body like the Election Commission of Pakistan.
Courtesy www.dailytimes.com.pk