APNS's concern regarding the effect of the federal government's decision cannot be dismissed lightly, particularly when media freedom is already under attack from various quarters. Take for example the order of the Lahore High Court to issue non-bailable arrest warrants for Dawn Assistant Editor, Cyril Almeida, and place his name on the Exit Control List in a case pertaining to an interview he conducted with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and for which act of professional duty he has been charged with treason. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed his surprise and dismay at the Lahore High Court's order. He went on to state that this showed the media was under siege and facing the worst form of censorship. After all, Bilawal asked, what law did Almeida break in carrying out his professional duties and nothing more? The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan too has added its voice to those who feel the charge of treason is ill founded and tantamount to shooting the messenger. After all, as Bilawal reminded us, democracy without media freedom is a sham. APNS's worry that the federal government's move will result in downsizing and unemployment in the media is not without foundation. The PTI government should, in its own as well as democracy's interest, withdraw this ill thought through and transparently anti-media freedom step.
APNS's concern regarding the effect of the federal government's decision cannot be dismissed lightly, particularly when media freedom is already under attack from various quarters. Take for example the order of the Lahore High Court to issue non-bailable arrest warrants for Dawn Assistant Editor, Cyril Almeida, and place his name on the Exit Control List in a case pertaining to an interview he conducted with former prime minister Nawaz Sharif, and for which act of professional duty he has been charged with treason. PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari has expressed his surprise and dismay at the Lahore High Court's order. He went on to state that this showed the media was under siege and facing the worst form of censorship. After all, Bilawal asked, what law did Almeida break in carrying out his professional duties and nothing more? The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan too has added its voice to those who feel the charge of treason is ill founded and tantamount to shooting the messenger. After all, as Bilawal reminded us, democracy without media freedom is a sham. APNS's worry that the federal government's move will result in downsizing and unemployment in the media is not without foundation. The PTI government should, in its own as well as democracy's interest, withdraw this ill thought through and transparently anti-media freedom step.