JournalismPakistan.com | Published July 08, 2019
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ISLAMABAD — Three television news channels — Abb Tak, 24 News, and Capital — were forced off the air on Monday, drawing condemnation from a journalist union.
Regulator PEMRA reportedly pressured the cable operators to block the three channels. The reason for this punishment is said to be their broadcast of Maryam Nawaz's recent presser and the extended coverage of her rally on Sunday.
The Electronic Media Reporters Association (EMRA) condemned the closure and called for unblocking the channels.
The association’s President Asif Butt and Secretary Saleem Shaikh said they rejected the PTI government’s anti-media policies and warned of a countrywide strike.
Najam Sethi, who appears on 24 News as an analyst tweeted that the orders to block the channels reportedly came from PEMRA.
Reportedly upon orders from PEMRA, our Channel 24 is being taken off air across the country by cable operators. So too Abtak and Capital TV. Reason: Coverage of Maryam Nawaz presser and jalsa last three days.
— Najam Sethi (@najamsethi) July 8, 2019
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