Freedom of Speech in Pakistan

[Chakar The Great]

Hi guys can I pick your brain on one of the most important issue that Pakistan is facing currently i.e recent curb on electronic and print media. If you have been following Imran Khan's recent US trip he was repeatedly asked press freedom, which he tackled very well. He was visibly upset with regards to some segments in media especially targeting his personal life. In his recent sitting with Shaheen Sehbai a renowned journalist he again expressed his dissatisfaction with media, where he mentioned about putting measures to ensure accountability within media houses. Although he doesnt want to control media but certainly wants the media watchdogs to scrutinize the content that is being fed to the general Pakistani public. With recent arrest of Irfan Siddique who was special assistant to former PM Nawaz Sharif in a petty case, I am not sure what the policy of the government is.

I would like you guys to engage in discussion and give feedback in how to tackle this delicate issue.

 

[B.K.N]

Just give them lifafas they will become pro government

 

[Chakar The Great]

Just give them lifafas they will become pro government

Thats not a permanent solution. Also government has no money. Why should they become pro government??

Media has a huge role to play, even positive criticism is important to keep things in-check.

 

[war&peace]

Just give them lifafas they will become pro government

That's really stupid, illegal & unethical practice. PTI govt should and would never do that.

 

[B.K.N]

Thats not a permanent solution

Then danda should be used for to bring them back on rah e rast

That's really stupid, illegal & unethical practice. PTI govt should and would never do that.

Then hand them over to some thanedar for few days aqal thikanay aa Jaye gi

 

[haviZsultan]

I will state what I have always believed. Freedom of expression is the basic rule for any society to thrive. But some governments see this as a challenge to their power and this is where tyranny starts. We have to be tolerant to each other and accepting of people's views. Also highlighting common issues and criticism can help improve the nation. It helps make us see the mistakes we have made as a nation.

 

[The Eagle]

There is difference between freedom of speech and hateful remarks. There is further difference between freedom of speech and provocations. There are further differences in regard to productive criticism & a malicious propaganda to cause unrest in society. Freedom of speech does not permit one to be disrespectful, unethical, be abusive or even insult others. We need to understand the difference in regard to creating rift through speech and highlighting issues for solution.

Above all there is difference of being a journalist as compare to part of Corrupt Mafia and blackmailers.

 

[I.R.A]

Freedom of speech for people who get paid for spreading sensation and depression in society?

Freedom of speech for people who get paid for speaking positive of the worst enemies of Pakistan.

Freedom of speech against interests of state.

To all the advocates of freedom of speech ..... whenever you papu bachaz get an employment ask your employers to include freedom of speech clause in your employment contracts ..... or if you happen to be employed already ask your employers what they think of your freedom of speech at work place criticizing their policies.

Does this freedom speech apply ........ if a reporter say from geo wishes to criticize Mir Shakeel Ur Rehman on geo tv?

 

[AZ1]

No one cares for media freedom of speech now all knows they are lifafa khir and majority stand with PM.

 

[PDF]

Media has the right to express realities and show truth the people. However, it needs to follow the guidelines of journalism, respect the nation's law and show the news in the light of journalism ethics. Unfortunately, Pakistani media needs to be regulated and penalized for their wrong behavior and actions. Freedom of speech should not be taken for granted.

 

[HAIDER]

Hi guys can I pick your brain on one of the most important issue that Pakistan is facing currently i.e recent curb on electronic and print media. If you have been following Imran Khan's recent US trip he was repeatedly asked press freedom, which he tackled very well. He was visibly upset with regards to some segments in media especially targeting his personal life. In his recent sitting with Shaheen Sehbai a renowned journalist he again expressed his dissatisfaction with media, where he mentioned about putting measures to ensure accountability within media houses. Although he doesnt want to control media but certainly wants the media watchdogs to scrutinize the content that is being fed to the general Pakistani public. With recent arrest of Irfan Siddique who was special assistant to former PM Nawaz Sharif in a petty case, I am not sure what the policy of the government is.

I would like you guys to engage in discussion and give feedback in how to tackle this delicate issue.

In Pakistan we have no code which define freedom speech. Everyone has its own definition. That is the reason yellow journalism is flourishing in Pakistan. We have journalist who are faithful to there icon but not with the country or the people.
For example, two senior journalist like Rauf Kalaasra , who do investigative journalism has a totally different perception about freedom of speech then Hamid Mir. Rauf more believe in social reform and justice system, while Mir believes in blind democratic system without any accountability.

 

[Verve]

one of the most important issue that Pakistan is facing currently i.e recent curb on electronic and print media.

Sorry, stopped reading after this false assumption!

Western Media is far more regulated and 'curbed' than Pakistani media. One fake story and a 100+ yrs old media house is shut down and Pakistani media houses churn thousands of fake stories every year and none shut down as yet.

 

[Fawadqasim1]

Sorry, stopped reading after this false assumption!

Western Media is far more regulated and 'curbed' than Pakistani media. One fake story and a 100+ yrs old media house is shut down and Pakistani media houses churn thousands of fake stories every year and none shut down as yet.

Absolutely

 

[xyxmt]

In Pakistan freedom of speech means allow to accept liffafa and sing his songs or slander anyone.

 

[Imad.Khan]

There is a very simple and effective solution and its applied everywhere except in Pakistan. Media houses have to be responsible for the authenticity of what they publish. They should be free to publish anything as long as they can provide proof. If a media house is unable to provide sufficient proof then they will be penalized. A 3-strike rule will be applied. 1st breach fined, 2nd breach double the fine, 3rd breach banned for a year.