Darwaish
UPDATE: Nov. 3, 2007: Emergency Declared in Pakistan.
UPDATE: Nov. 4, 2007: Media Gagged. Listen to Geo News here.
In my last post, I mentioned that Electronic Media is under siege and many programs are likely to be banned. But I was not expecting it to happen so soon. Geo News transmission have been completely shut down in most parts of the country and Aaj TVvhas disappeared from my cable at least (WorldCall Cable, Lahore).
I don’t know if Aaj TV has been completely banned or not. It happened while I was watching Dr. Shahid Masood’s Mere Mutabiq. Muslim League (Q)’s own Vice President Kabir Wasti was strongly criticizing General Musharaf, holding him responsible for the judicial crises when suddenly Geo News was shut down. I thought that its a temporary ban and transmission will be back as soon as Dr. Shahid’s program is over but its been several hours now and still no signs of Geo or Aaj coming back on my cable. A friend of mine sent me this SMS from Karachi that Geo News disappeared from most parts of the Sindh around 8 o clock too during Imran Khan’s interview in another program Jawab De.
Geo News website has this to say:
The government has blocked the transmission of the Geo News TV channel across the country due to the reasons best known to them. The viewers calls flooded the Geo office to ask that why the transmission of Geo News TV channel was suddenly suspended when the famous programme, “Meray Mutabik” was going on air.
The calls from the viewers were received from various parts of the country. According to Geo News sources the government has blocked the transmission of the Geo News. Geo transmission was blocked in various parts of Islamabad, Lahore, Hyderabad, Karachi and other areas. The citizens, social and political circles have condemned the ban on transmission of Geo News and they have demanded of the government to immediately lift ban on the transmission of the Geo News and give complete freedom to media in the country.
I am unable to understand why this step has been taken but lets wait and see the official reason which will surely be Afwaje Pakistan ke khilaaf baat ki gaye hai. I suspect the title of Dr. Shahid’s program Idaro Ka Takrao – Fatah Kiski Ho Gi (Clash of Institutions – Who Will be Victorious) must have caused concerns among people sitting in Information Ministry aka Mr. Ghalat Biyani.
Whatever government says but I thought it was a very interesting program and a healthy discussion going on when some wise men decided to shut it down. I hope the ban is lifted soon and government shows some common sense. Like they say in Urdu, Kuch Hosh Ke Nakhun Lo Bhai. Whatever happened to those free media and freedom of press claims :). This is yet another direct attack on freedom of expression and truly a shameful act and should be strongly condemned. I am afraid Dr. Shahid Masood will be in trouble once again for not being afraid, for speaking his mind and saying what is in hearts of millions of ordinary Pakistanis.
pakistan news channels are bbanned this is not good for pakistan public.the all channnels will start soon because geo news not start then we did not listern true news and musharaf wll be very happy geo or aaj channel is banned.
Areeba@
ameen.
Reporting on media should not be biased. They should show both sides of the picture. I think our media was not used to the freedom they got. They could not handle it and blew the oppurtunity to be free. People like Shahid Masood and Hamid Mir are biased hosts. Hamid Mir is interesting but Shahid Masood is an overrated host? journalist? Doctor?
hum mushraf aur is ki army se kaisay jaan churwain jis ne might is right ka rule banaya ha. cheif justice of pakistan ko kaisey bachaian hum un ka saath hain but kuch nahin ker saktay kuon ka poltician aur media sub bebus hain aisay main hum kia kerain bus Allah se hi keh saktay hain Allah army aur mush ko khatam ker dain
I do appreciate and enjoy geo tv programs and thank you for the information and continous enlightenment.
I do agree that seige on media is not right and there should be NO SEIGE at all. Do you think that we as nation have the “political leadership” that can bring us to the civilized maturity and capability of sustainig indiscriminate tolerance towards each other?
I do want to bring up is the obvious bias that I thought “DID NOT” exist in GEO juornalism. Responsibilty is very important and your anger is very obvious.
Dr. Masood and Kamran Khan are my favorites I enjoy their programs more than CNN and other international tv medias but one thing I have to agree with Sheikh Rashid that in considering the overwhelming influence of journalism, putting just one “Nukta” can change “Mehrum” to “Mujrim” I with all my heart want Dr. Masood to continue to enlighten us and like as said I love his passion and insights. God knows I DO NOT not want him to stop or change a thing. Just one request please be patient and let us the viewers listen and decide where the decietfulness is coming and where there is if any shred of sincerity is (Altough most of the times Ploitics and Sincerelty are oxy morans and our opposition is proving it by not providing the needed leadership at this extremely difficult stage)
We were extremely thankful and amazed at the leaverage media had during the horrible episode of LaL Masjid . Do you think anti government elements would have that much access even in contry like US? Media is not that much free here. All “Terrorism” related tapes and material is censored or reviewed by the government before airing and if there is any pre determined relays they are addressed damage control becomes priority.
While I do understand that politics and freedom fighting is extremely painstaking, I never had courage to participte in politics because of life threat to say the least, what is this stoning and throwing rocks by “VUKLA” aren’t they supposed to be reasoning as lawyers and setting an example of proving their point by not resolving or instigating violence?
If you want to watch Pakistan’s top News Channels .
GEO News Live Video web address is:
http://www.geotv.net/
ARY One World & ARY Digital Tv Live Video web address is:
http://www.Arydigitaltv.com/
Pemra and Information Ministry, Justice Ministry
After having dangerous experiences with the
Media’s freedom, we should now have a
Charter between two parties, guaranteeing
not only freedom, but with clear cut
reponsibilities, imparatively including
check and Balance
Waqar Wasim Akram,
since last year I have been sending letters and letters to
Pemra and Minister of Information about the attitide
of this anti-Islamic Gunda gardi, on nearly all the free
Channels, you have segments entirely anti-muslims, I have been sending letters to the chiefs of the segments and I
got insults in return, I have got e-mails replys., they were
found accusing Islam, muslims, ullemas, anything to do
with Islam, enough is enough, they should explain now !!