Samaa, ARY taken off air during PTI show
JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 30 November 2014
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Samaa and ARY Television were temporarily taken off air amid coverage of a PTI gathering. The action has drawn criticism from various sectors of society.Summary
ISLAMABAD: Samaa and ARY Television channels were briefly taken off air Sunday in different parts of the country to disrupt coverage of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf’s massive public gathering in Islamabad.
The transmission of the two channels was disrupted allegedly on the instructions of the government in Rawalpindi, Islamabad, Lahore, Multan and Karachi.
Samaa TV said the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) instructed the cable operators to block transmission of channels covering the PTI's public gathering.
The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), civil society and different political parties condemned the action.
Musaddiq Malik, spokesperson for the prime minister, said the government issued no instructions to block the channels as it believes in the freedom of expression.
“We are investigating as to why the transmission was disrupted,” he said in a statement issued to media.
KEY POINTS:
- Samaa and ARY channels disrupted during PTI gathering coverage.
- Transmission blocked on alleged government instructions.
- PEMRA reportedly instructed cable operators for the block.
- PFUJ and others condemned the government's action.
- Government claims no instructions were issued to block media.
