A global media watchdog has slammed Pakistani authorities over the removal of three television channels from the country’s airwaves, saying the move was “indicative of disturbing dictatorial tendencies” as pressure mounts on journalists in the South Asian nation.
The statement from Reporters Without Borders (RSF) comes days after AbbTakk TV, 24 News, and Capital TV all had their broadcasts cut, after screening a press conference with Opposition leader Maryam Nawaz.
Pakistani authorities say the channels were unavailable due to “technical issues”, but RSF described the outage as an act of “brazen censorship”.
“Reporters Without Borders (RSF) is appalled to learn that three Pakistani TV news channels have been suspended from cable networks at the behest of the authorities in reprisal for broadcasting an Opposition leader’s news conference,” the watchdog said late on Tuesday. It went on to pin the removal of the channels on the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, saying “the all-powerful broadcast media regulator” takes its lead from the country’s “military establishment”.
Maryam interview
A senior official with knowledge of the case confirmed the move against the channels, saying the broadcasters had violated Pakistan’s “code of conduct” and been warned against airing the press conference with Maryam Nawaz.
Ms. Nawaz is the daughter of former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif — who is currently behind bars for corruption — and her press conference featured a judge claiming he had been blackmailed into convicting the former premier.
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