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.
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.
Editor's Picks
Afghanistan/Pakistan Trending
1
From Offshoot To 'Spearhead': The Rise Of IS-K, Islamic State's Afghanistan Branch
2Taliban Strongly Condemns Moscow Concert Hall Attack
3Pakistan's Campaign To Expel Millions Of Afghan Refugees Enters Second Phase
4Deadly Suicide Bombing Strikes Outside Bank In Kandahar As Taliban Employees Wait For Pay
5Afghans Pushed Out, Fenced In By Once-Accommodating Neighbors
6Could Taliban Canal Spark Water War In Central Asia?
7Facebook Restrictions The 'Last Nail In The Coffin' For Free Speech In Afghanistan
8Swedish Aid Group Suspends Afghanistan Operations After Taliban Order
9Iran's Afghan Community Worried About Prospect Of War With Israel
10RFE/RL Freelance Journalist Attacked By Armed Men In Islamabad
Subscribe