Media men expressed anger over Punjab Pa's resolution: Media personnel thorough out the country held protest rallies expressing anger over the Punj

Media men expressed anger over Punjab Pa's resolution:

Media personnel thorough out the country held protest rallies expressing anger over the Punjab Assembly resolution belittling the image of the media.

The call for protest was given by the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) which took strong exception to their resolution and said it was a calculated move to divert attention from the real issues.

Rallies were taken out by the respective Unions of Journalists in almost all cities and towns including Lahore, Faisalabad, Multan, Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Karachi, Sukkur, Peshawar, Quetta, Sargodha, Jhelum, Taxila, Attock, Hafizabad,Gujranwala, Sheikhupura, Chiniot, Rehim Yar Khan, Bahwalpur, Bhakkar, Karachi, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Abbotabad, Toba Tek Singh, Jaranwala, Kamila, Mandi Bahauddin,

The media union leaders, bombarded the movers of the resolutions and said they do not want merit to prevail in the entire spectrum of the country. The movers of the resolution also wants to subjugate the media so that the real voice of the people remain depressed and privileged continue to enjoy all sorts of facilities although illegally.

Their attitude reflect that they do not have know how of the constitution nor they have respect for independent media whose job is to expose all sorts of ills in the society, the PFUJ added.

They also criticised the lukewarm attitude of other political forces, human rights organisations, bar associations by keeping mum on the issue. They are in fact encouraging such forces who want media of their choice.

The PFUJ reminded "had there been no media freedom there would have been no accountability and check, which is in fact the soul of democratic values and process."

Unfortunately, every political party in power and government were afraid of accountability and owing to this the members of Punjab Assembly and their masters were involved in launching campaign against free and independent pillars of democracy.

The PFUJ pointed out that although it had been stressing upon effective implementation of code of ethics it is regrettable that the institution of professional editors is vanishing because of this some of the owners may have been dictating their terms to the working journalist.

The PFUJ leaders demanded immediate withdrawal of the resolution and said if it was not withdrawn they will take up the issue at international forums and would also boycott the coverage of the assemblies sessions.

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk