Adil Najam
News is that GEO Network is closing down. I hope the news is a false alarm, but I am told that this has been announced on Geo TV itself. An email making the rounds from someone at GEO itself reads:
At this moment we here at Geo are extremely SAD as Geo network is forced to shut down due to Govt pressure on UAE our base country.
Insha Allah we will fight. We are proud that the management of Jang Group never made compromise and prefer to fight till death.
I would rather wait to hear more details and to see reaction to this from the government, from the people of Pakistan and also the rest of the world before I comment in detail. But my first reaction is, yet again, one of disgust. The things that we coudl have been most proud of in recent years and months – an assertive judiciary, a free media – are being snatched away one by one. I hope it turns out not to be so. But if so, then who next?
Original Post (Nov. 4, 2007):
The emergency declared by Gen. Pervez Musharraf yesterday was not surprising. But that does not make it any less disturbing. Amongst the many unspeakable actions that have resulted from this is a clampdown on the media, especially the electronic news media. In response, GEO News has made the audio stream of its transmissions available on line.
You can listen to GEO News by clicking on image below.
Windows Media Player or VLC is required to play this live audio.
I have a feeling Mushraf and Shaoukat knows what we all do not know. They will not tell us but defiantly there is some force trying to destabilize Pakistan. They do not want to make it open that can close the doors of information they are getting.
Mushraf is not stupid he is a true Pakistani Patriot , There is a good chance Indian, Israeli and USA intelligence is trying to destabilized Pakistan. He must do to save Pakistan. Remember Pakistan has nukes and people of Pakistan must give civilized image to rest of the world not that extremists beheading people .Remember one thing many in world have said if Mushraf goes down Pakistan nukes will go in the hands of extremists. The enemies of Pakistan or the countries who fear Pakistan they are looking for excuse to eliminate Nukes from Pakistan.
Javed Malik of ARYYou are talking about freedom of speech or freedom of press.But you have failed to discuss Issues like crimes of Bhutto , Zardari , terrorism , extremists inside Pakistan and dangers to Pakistan. No you little crying baby saying where we go if we can talk about this and that.
Faeza from ARY you also need to calm down. You give the image that all you care is that you want people to come in streets.
GEO is completely sold to PPP. ( in my opinion ) ALso GEO has failed to discuss Issues like crimes of Bhutto , Zardari , terrorism , extremists inside Pakistan and dangers to Pakistan.
All of you learn from Q&A with PJ MIR what is responsible press means.He is the only Media person I have been impressed. He is the only person I think understands the true meaning of free press.
You’ve got to do what you think is in the best interest of your country.
Rizwan Elahi USA
MISSION
I am a proud Muslim born in Pakistan living in USA. I would love to visit India and Israel and have no problem with Jews or Hindu’s and Sikh or any other religion , I think people who have problems with Jews or Hindu’s are the one who are less smarter than them or politicians. They use or create fear for themselves and others so its not fault of Normal Jew or Hindu. Be smart be at their level and you will have no fear. Media should play important role in this. Rest should be left to creator who created all of us. Whoever wins elections in Pakistan, I personally will try to reach the winner for one thing and that I will ask him/her to shake hands with India and Israel and be friends with them and if any extremist try to disturb that punish them and this should be the best time to liberate Pakistan from extremism.
scholars and Decent educated religious leaders understand extremism is not the answer to the problems. They will work with this mission , I have no doubt.
Pakistan should be run like a corporation. If anyone agrees with me email me help me get this message to Rulers of Pakistan. Hope India and Israel will welcome this too. Every human from Pakistan India and Israel should be able to travel in each other’s country and there should be no fear among these people.
We must respect other religions and live happy life.
Discuss this.
Invictus
(William Ernest Henley. 1849
The job of the media is to be the conscience of the nation. But these guys acted as the unelected opposition. And all that whipping people into frenzy was done for the bottom line. All these channels took off public interest programming when saying they could not find sponsors. But it is easy to find sponsors for psuedo-journalism. I feel sorry for those of you who think these guys were clean in all this.
Musharraf shouldn’t have shut them down. But in all likelyhood these guys will be back on after signing the code of conduct. These things are a norm around the world where journalists act responsibly and within limits. Without that you have a recipe for choas. These people were running wild with rumors and untruths.
Oh So people will now have to deal with their families again. Uncles, aunties, and the kids will no longer be able to escape each other. Any one who thought Shahid Masood goes on and on without making a point will get similar treatment from spouses and parents.
Musharraf, prepare yourself for the wrath of the entertainment deprived masses. These people were better off protesting from their couches, Now they just might make it to the lawns.
And what will become of the young media barons who were running the cable media side of their family businesses. Lets shed a tear for Mir Ibrahim, Ahmed Zuberi, and Salman Iqbal. These poor sobs are going to suffer most from not raking in the advertising millions. And lets shed another one for the “talk show” hosts who might not make the millions with their shows off-air.
These channels were abusing their freedoms for a long time taking indecent liberties with twisted facts, and malicious insinuations. They thought they could bully from the pulpit but they just got brought back to the street.
The Emperor did not like what he saw in the mirror so he broke the mirror.
He is going crazy. Just look at his statement today. He said that he has introduced the essence of democracy in the country.
If this is not SHAM democracy then what is it!