Journalist body says emergency in Pakistan is a direct attack on the media

Coming down heavily on Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf for imposing an emergency in the country, the International Federation of Journalists has described it as a direct assault on media personnel and institutions.

Karachi, Nov 6 : Coming down heavily on Pakistan President General Pervez Musharraf for imposing an emergency in the country, the International Federation of Journalists has described it as a direct assault on media personnel and institutions.

The IFJ's Asia-Pacific Director, Jacqueline Park, urged the Pakistan Government to withdraw two ordinances it issued on Saturday night, as it severely restricted the media's ability to report freely and fairly.

"The new media restrictions are a very clear attack on media personnel and institutions, as well as lawyers and the rule of law," The Nation quoted Park, as saying.

"People have a right to know what is going on in their country, and journalists have a duty to give people that information," Park added.

The IFJ and its affiliate, the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), jointly condemned the police raids on television and radio stations, and the continuing black-out on news channels.

"The IFJ recognises that Pakistan faces acute political difficulties. But it does not hold that fighting Islamic extremism requires measures as extreme as totally blocking the media," Park said.

A Global Day of Action is also being prepared, including organised protests at Pakistan embassies around the world to condemn the Government's attacks on media personnel and institutions and to call for the withdrawal of the anti-media ordinances.

ANI