Reporters Without Borders (RSF) says it is "appalled" to learn that Pakistani authorities have suspended three TV news channels from cable network for broadcasting an opposition figure’s news conference.
“The recent surge in sudden acts of media censorship is exposing the current regime’s increasingly dictatorial nature," the Paris-based media freedom watchdog said in a July 9 statement.
Reports say AbbTakk TV, 24 News, and Capital TV were taken off the air after showing a live press conference by Maryam Nawaz, the daughter of now imprisoned former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
RSF said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority was believed to be behind the move.
The media watchdog called on Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan to take immediate steps to ensure that cable transmission of the three TV channels is restored.
“This is an absolutely unacceptable violation of the principles of media pluralism and independence during a revelation that was clearly in the Pakistani public interest,” Daniel Bastard, the head of RSF’s Asia-Pacific desk, said.
Last year, Geo TV, Pakistan’s largest television network, was suspended throughout much of the country.
Pakistan ranks 142nd out of 180 countries listed on RSF’s World Press Freedom Index.
Editor's Picks
Subscribe
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
Afghanistan, The Only Country Where Images Of Living Things Are Banned
2FBI's Arrest Of Afghan Underscores Growing Threat Of Islamic State-Khorasan
3'The Taliban Likes Facebook': Why The 'Photo Ban' In Afghanistan Won't Work
4Taliban To Impose Media Ban On Images Of Living Things
5Pakistan's Ban On Prominent Civil Rights Group Will 'Alienate' Pashtun Minority
6Afghan Journalists Fear Losing 'Last Remaining' Freedoms
7Taliban Searches Houses In Kabul After Rocket Attack Claimed By Freedom Front
83 Die In Clash Between Taliban, Islamic State-Khorasan In Afghanistan
9This Afghan Family Is Surviving On Leftovers From Neighbors
10Explosion In Kabul Kills 2, Injures Several Others, Says Taliban Source
RFE/RL has been declared an "undesirable organization" by the Russian government.
If you are in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine and hold a Russian passport or are a stateless person residing permanently in Russia or the Russia-controlled parts of Ukraine, please note that you could face fines or imprisonment for sharing, liking, commenting on, or saving our content, or for contacting us.
To find out more, click here.
