RP journalist joins condemnation of media restrictions in Pakistan

A Philippine-based media coalition voiced support for a "Global Day of Action" Thursday to protest the media crackdown in Pakistan. In a statement, the Freedom Fund for Filipino Journalists (FFFJ) voiced deep concern over the "draconian clampdown on free expression" under the state of emergency declared by Pakistan president Pervez Musharraf November 3. "FFFJ is deeply concerned over the draconian clampdown on free expression under the state of national emergency declared by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf last November 3. Since then, crippling legal restrictions, imposed through amendments of Pakistani law, have been put in place. The restrictions have severely impaired Pakistan media’s function to report the truth and to hold the government accountable," it said. It added the amendments have also provided government excessive powers, among them to suspend news publications for up to 30 days, confiscate media equipment, and impose stiff fines on violators of the new regulations. All of these, it said, have created a hostile environment for the practice of free expression. On the other hand, it said emergency rule allows the government to suspend a number of local and international news channels and block local and international news Web sites. "Local and international journalists covering street protests denouncing the declaration of the state of emergency have also been harassed, attacked, and detained. Three reporters from the U.K.-based publication The Daily Telegraph have also been expelled from Pakistan because of an “offensive" editorial from the newspaper about the political crisis," it said. "FFFJ believes that the recent turn of events has corroded Pakistan’s democratic institutions, directly affecting the practice of free expression. FFFJ calls for the immediate withdrawal of amendments in Pakistani law, which has resulted in severe restrictions on media practice in the country, and the restoration of democratic rule. FFFJ believes that free and independent media is of paramount importance to the development of society," it added. FFFJ members include the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, the Philippine Press Institute, the Center for Community Journalism and Development, the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas and the California-based The Philippine News. FFFJ provides financial assistance to the families of slain journalists, as well as legal support in the prosecution of their cases. - GMANews.TV