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Muzzling the free press

Muzzling the free press

Author: Zamir Niazi
Publication: Dawn, Karachi
Date: October 1, 2000

KARACHI: Yesterday, I read the disturbing item regarding the raid on Dawn's offices, and certain instances immediately came to mind.

In 1974 Indira Gandhi's government played the same drama when it imposed press censorship and restrictions, during India's Emergency.  Her government's first action was to disconnect the electric supply to the Indian Express.

On reading the details of the raid on the Dawn premises, I felt that this entire drama was being re-enacted.  Dawn and power theft? Unimaginable! What is the military regime trying to prove? For the last two months I have been repeatedly saying that the honeymoon period seems to be over, and something harsh is on the cards.

Gen Ziaul Haq came to power 21 years ago, and in his first broadcast to the nation announced that although he had imposed martial law, there would be no press censorship or other restrictions on the media.  It only took nine days to impose censorship, in the name of national interest.

Gen Musharraf, in his first broadcast, while addressing the nation on Oct 17, 1999 had stated that the media formed an integral part of statehood in the era of information technology.

The general had further said that he was a firm believer in the freedom of the press, and was even considering a liberalization policy for the establishment of private TV and radio channels.  He had also mentioned that he had a great regard for the media and was hopeful that the media would play a positive and constructive role.

These statements were repeated a number of times on different occasions by the general.  The honeymoon continued for a very long time.  But the real reason behind this support for the freedom of the press was that the outside world was not ready to accept the new military set-up.  Statements published by foreign leaders expressed their lack of support for this government, but were willing to give it a chance because the military regime had claimed to support freedom of the press.

For six to seven months, the entire press has been busy reporting the misdeeds and accountability of the past rulers but the focus has now shifted.  Criticism on the activities of the government are regularly reported in the press.

Dawn published the excerpts of the Hamoodur Rehman Commission Report and the public reactions to it.  Nur Khan's statement was commendable.  I salute both Air Marshal (retd) Nur Khan and the great heritage of the Quaid-i-Azam, Dawn.  The raid on Dawn's offices was a reaction to all of this.

The general during his visit to Washington had talked about "Lifafa journalism" apparently on the provocation of a news item by Shaheen Sehbai.  Unfortunately the government's press departments are not forthcoming with any information, everything comes under the heading of "top secret".  And then they call it "Lifafa journalism".  A new word has been coined, but what exactly is "Lifafa journalism"? Who is responsible for it? In my humble opinion it is the government who is responsible for it and further, "Lifafa journalism" has been encouraged by the information ministry.

Given the changed thinking of the military government, they can go to any extent to impose censorship on the media.  Attempts to muzzle a free press creates a furore in the international world and there have been numerous queries from foreign countries, asking for details about the raid on Dawn.

Imposition of any restriction on the press will result in severe repercussions in the western world, and as stated earlier the only plus point in the government's favour was the so-called freedom of the press.

What is needed now are newspapers that report factually and are not intimidated by the powers that be.  We must ensure that we are not internationally isolated.  The freedom of the press must be respected.  No muzzling of a free press can be tolerated.  Nowhere in the world has the press toppled any government, it is in their best interest not to stir the hornet's nest.

Governments come and governments go, I have seen four martial laws, I have seen dictators and democrats of dubious antecedents.  But we also had some great leaders, where are they now?
 


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