JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 10, 2019
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD - The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned imposing a ban on advertisements to the Dawn Media Group, calling it a move against freedom of expression.
PFUJ President Afzal Butt and Secretary-General Ayub Jan Sarhandi believe that such a step is against all democratic norms and a violation of the Article 19 of the Constitution which guarantees freedom of expression and press.
In a joint statement, the two PFUJ office-bearers said the working journalists of the country are fully aware of their limitations and restrictions as given in the Constitution. However, it has been observed that the government is penalizing the Dawn Media Group only because some quarters are not happy over the independent views of the newspaper and its TV channel over the present state of governance, and economy.
The two office-bearers reminded that the elected government should avoid adopting tactics of military dictators to use advertisements as a tool to silence free voices.
It has also come to the notice of the PFUJ that some members of the government’s media team interfere in the internal policy matters of the newspaper by suggesting display of various news reports and even suggesting headlines through the officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, which is highly regrettable.
The PFUJ warns the government that the journalists who worked under similar conditions during the military regimes in the country will not tolerate such curbs on media, and if it continues to use the same tactics to curb media freedom, then the journalists will have no option but to use their democratic right of protest at different forums.
Related: Government stops adverts to Dawn
April 11, 2025: Sindhi journalist AD Shar was brutally murdered in Khairpur, Sindh. His body was found dumped on Handiyari Link Road. PFUJ has declared a three-day mourning period and demanded justice.
April 10, 2025: The Azad Jammu and Kashmir government has filed a case against The Daily Jammu & Kashmir and its staff for alleged fake news, drawing condemnation from PFUJ and IFJ, who demand immediate withdrawal of the FIR and an end to media repression in Pakistan.
April 08, 2025: Journalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges that Pakistan's state agencies, including the FIA, have blocked her CNIC, passport, and bank account while threatening her. She calls it a direct attack on journalism.
April 07, 2025: The Islamabad High Court has directed IG Islamabad to produce journalist Ahmad Noorani’s missing brothers, as the Ministry of Defence denies custody. SIM activity was traced in Bahawalpur, and investigations into their suspected abduction continue.
April 07, 2025: Journalist and Raftar founder Farhan Mallick has been granted bail by a Karachi court in a case concerning anti-state content aired on his YouTube channel. He still faces separate charges related to an alleged illegal call center and data theft.
April 03, 2025: Veteran journalist Ghulam Abbas Shah has joined Discover Pakistan Television as the Head of Programming. With 25 years of experience in leading news organizations, he looks forward to contributing to quality storytelling and content.
April 02, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has strongly condemned the visit of a group of Pakistani journalists to Israel, calling it a violation of journalistic ethics and a betrayal of press freedom and human rights. PFUJ demands a transparent investigation into the matter.
March 30, 2025: Dawn criticizes Pakistan’s plan to use TV dramas against extremism, highlighting financial and digital challenges. Can media alone solve deep-rooted issues?
April 03, 2025 The International Press Institute (IPI) and International Media Support (IMS) invite nominations for the 2025 World Press Freedom Hero and Free Media Pioneer Awards. Recognizing courageous journalists and innovative media, the awards will be presented at IPI’s 75th-anniversary World Congress in Vienna. Submit your nominations by April 30, 2025.
April 01, 2025 Photojournalist Suresh Rajak was burned alive while covering a violent protest in Kathmandu. The IFJ and its affiliates condemn the attack and call for an urgent investigation to hold the perpetrators accountable.
April 01, 2025 Assam Police arrested digital journalist Dilwar Hussain Mozumder for covering a protest against alleged corruption at Assam Co-Operative Bank. Media organizations have condemned the arrest, calling it an attack on press freedom.
March 29, 2025 A federal judge has blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to dismantle Voice of America (VOA), ruling that the move likely violated legal procedures. The decision protects over 1,200 journalists and media staff.
March 28, 2025 Turkey deports BBC journalist Mark Lowen over 'public order' threat and fines opposition TV channels covering Istanbul Mayor's arrest. Critics condemn crackdown on press freedom amid rising political tensions.