Suppressing freedom of speech, punishing dissentPakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) has once again issued directives to television channels that fundamentally restrict them to choose freely the format and content of its programming. The order states that news anchors are barred from giving their “opinions” during their own or other talk shows and to limit their role to “moderator”. These instructions are quite arbitrary in nature and just another way to tighten the censorship noose on the media. Article 19 of the constitution ensures ‘the right to freedom of speech, freedom of expression and freedom of the Press subject to reasonable restrictions’. The restrictions being placed on the country’s media, artists and intellectuals are anything but reasonable rather just a deliberate reduction of democratic space.

Source: Pakistan Today October 28, 2019 16:29 UTC