Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) has outrightly rejected the government proposed setting up a 'media courts'. In a statement issued yesterday, PBA urged the government to reveal the 'real' purpose behind its plan. "An incomplete document was shared with PBA a day earlier which gave no real details, purpose, need or intent for establishing these courts. It seems to be another effort to control media and restrict freedom of expression," PBA said.

It also said: "Coming from a government which had made pre-election promises to uphold independence of media and encourage freedom of expression and is now already struggling to justify media curbs, it is shocking". The statement further asked the government to immediately abandon the 'ill-conceived' and 'ill-advised' proposal. There already exist laws, courts and regulatory authorities in the country to deal with media-related issues. As such there exists no justification for 'media courts'.-PR

Copyright Business Recorder, 2019