ISLAMABAD: Three leading journalistic organisations have strongly condemned the ban imposed on media coverage of certain court cases, particularly the diplomatic cipher case.
These organisations view these restrictions as attempts to deprive people of their right to access information and have urged both Chief Justice of Pakistan Qazi Faez Isa and Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar to take immediate action on the issue.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and the Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) issued a joint statement on Thursday, expressing deep concern over such restrictive measures.
Last week, a trial court placed a ban on media coverage of its proceedings that are based on allegations that former prime minister Imran Khan and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi violated the Official Secrets Act, 1923, by misusing a diplomatic cipher.
The journalistic organisations emphasised that such bans infringe upon the constitutional right of the people to access information. They highlighted the increasing pressure faced by media personnel and organisations from state institutions, including announced and unannounced censorship and restrictions on covering specific court cases and political events.
These measures, they argued, aimed to curb freedom of expression and access to information. “In this oppressive environment, the judiciary remains the only beacon of hope for providing relief to the people. –Agencies
