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Pakistan Media Creates ‘Coalition’ to Fight Media Shutdowns

Pakistan’s media associations have decided to come together and form a coalition to fight against increasing restrictions on free speech, believing they are doomed to succumb if they fight separately but may have a chance to succeed if they hang together.

The “Coalition for Free Media’ was formed in Islamabad Saturday and consists of several press clubs, unions, and associations of journalists from all over the country.

According to an editorial in ‘Dawn’ newspaper, “it is hoped (the Coalition) will be able to wrest back a modicum of the independence Pakistani media has been gradually deprived of over the last decade.”

It added: “The truth is that whenever the Pakistani media and working journalists have attempted to assert their freedoms in recent years, they have invariably been made to pay a very heavy price for it.”

The Pakistani media, or at least parts of it, is widely considered to be among the most courageous across the region. It has withstood the terrors of the Zia ul-Haq regime, when journalists were whipped with chains if they didn’t fall in line, stood up to Pervez Musharraf, argued with Nawaz Sharif, criticized the extra-constitutional shenanigans of Imran Khan and protected their turf from the “powers that be” – the hugely powerful military establishment in Pakistan.

From unresolved murders of journalists to abductions as well as gun-battles, Pakistani journalists have faced the full force of criticism by those who want to shut down press freedoms. In recent years, the military establishment has been joined by powerful social media trolls and influencers.

According to Dawn, the Coalition’s “steering committee,” also decided to seek the aid of human rights advocates and lawyers to discourage threats to journalist’s safety and the ‘shrinking space’ for free speech in the media.

The coalition members issued a statement at the end of their meeting:

1. There is a strategy that has been utilized by political parties, governments, and some state institutions to malign independent journalists and damage their reputations over time.

2. It was acknowledged that different media outlets and journalists may have differing editorial philosophies, cover the same topics in different ways, and express valid criticism of these reports and viewpoints. The coalitions key demand was to ensure free speech.

3. The coalition has demanded the implementations of the ‘Protection of Journalists and Media Protections Act.’

Audios

As Ram Mandir rises, why RSS-BJP don't have a blueprint for Ram Rajya : Rajesh Joshi

Why India-China 'new normal' in Ladakh needs expanded dialogue & strategic patience : Ashok Kantha

Why Supreme Court has chastised Gujarat Govt in Bilkis Bano case : Vrinda Grover

As Ram Mandir rises, why RSS-BJP don't have a blueprint for Ram Rajya : Rajesh Joshi

Why India may look to Nasheed as Muizzu’s ‘India Out’ policy in Maldives gains ground

Why India-China 'new normal' in Ladakh needs expanded dialogue & strategic patience : Ashok Kantha

Why Supreme Court has chastised Gujarat Govt in Bilkis Bano case : Vrinda Grover

Hasina will be PM again, but it’s an election without a soul : Mahfuz Anam

Hasina will win the polls, but will she have democratic legitimacy: Debapriya Bhattacharya

Hope Taliban is ready for talks, otherwise armed resistance inevitable : ex-Afghan FM Rangin Spanta

Too many troop casualties from Rajouri-Poonch ambushes, Army must ask itself why : Gen. D S Hooda

No doubt genocide was Pak Army's intent in Bangladesh, says new documentary

Why Mahua Mitra expulsion is BJP attempt to steamroll Opposition & what Rahul-Priyanka should do

Why Mahua Mitra expulsion is BJP attempt to steamroll Opposition & what Rahul-Priyanka should do

Why Modi may not want Shivraj Singh Chouhan as next CM of MP & why Congress failed : Hasan & Sethi

ZPM won as voters tired of Congress and MNF, BJP seen as anti-minority

Why Modi is the new Indira Gandhi, giving hope rather than selling despair

India broke our hearts by supporting military regime in Myanmar, says Burmese pro-democracy activist

Myanmar is a ticking time bomb: Rajiv Bhatia

Why there’s a pro-incumbency wave in MP & tight race in Rajasthan : Yashwant Deshmukh & Pavan Varma

When Indian Army rescued Myanmar's soldiers escaping from pro-Democracy militias back home, into Mizoram

Why India voted against Israel at the UNGA & why Arab world is so angry : Navdeep Suri

Hungry Modi juggernaut faces weakest Congress ever & Israel-Hamas war : Pavan Varma

Why hyper-connected Nepal is hungry for change & China, US are fighting for influence : Swarnim Wagle

Israel has no good options in ongoing conflict with Hamas in Gaza, says Bronwen Maddox

India Must Seek Qatar Emir's Pardon for Ex-Navy Personnel Sentenced to Death, KP Fabian tells

Why Powerful Pak Army is Betting on Nawaz Sharif Again, says Ayesha Siddiqa on #SouthAsiaMatters

Hello from Bhutan ! From Namgay Zam । Food, a wet canteen & Dantak border infrastructure

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