"We believe the move to erect a parallel judicial structure is unjustified as platforms are already available for taking up any complaint against violation of media ethics, and the proposal to establish media tribunals is the latest attempt to increase pressure on the media. There seems to be a camouflaged purpose behind the move that goes beyond the suggested of redressal of complaints," Freedom Network (FN) and the Institute for Research, Advocacy and Development (IRADA), two Islamabad-based press freedom and media rights advocacy organisations said in a joint press statement.
The two organisations were reacting to an announcement made by Adviser to Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting, Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan at a news briefing in Islamabad on September 17, 2019 and telecast live by mainstream TV channels and reported by mainstream print media.
"The prime minister has ordered that a bill envisaging formation of media tribunals be tabled in the current National Assembly for a healthy debate on the issue," Dr Awan told the news briefing. The government will sit with the media organisations on the matter later," she added.
Freedom Network and IRADA said: "It is extremely worrying to note why the government is in a haste to table the bill when by its own admission no single stakeholder was consulted. In democracy, first the primary stakeholders' opinion and proposals are invited before taking any final decision. The government proposal speaks of a dictatorial mindset in which a decision is already made before consultative process is kicked off."
Dr Awan did not explain why these tribunals are necessary and that currently operational platforms addressing such complaints would get redundant once the tribunals begin working.
The idea of establishing media courts echoed in July this year invoking sharp criticism from Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), saying it is based on 'hidden agenda' of the government.
"Media is already going through tough times due to policies of the government and through this decision, they are trying to put more restrictions and bans on the media," President CPNS Arif Nizami had said in a press statement.