Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists President Afzal Butt and General Secretary Ayub Jan Sarhandi have condemned the orders to bar media from discussing or commenting on the references filed against the top judges, including Justice Faez Isa of Supreme Court, in talk shows or through articles and editorials.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the advisory issued by PEMRA on May 30, they said imposition of curbs on media should be avoided to ensure freedom of expression and speech.
They said the directives were against the freedom of speech guaranteed in the Constitution, particularly under Article 19.
It is the basic right of the citizens to know the reasons and causes of any issue pertaining to their interests and the consequences for the progress of the society and the country at large, the PUFJ leadership said.
They said issuance of show-cause notice to media houses over discussing the reference filed against Justice Faez Isa was against the law and the Constitution, adding that the ban would not have any positive impact on the proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council.
Demanding immediate withdrawal of the advisory issued by PEMRA on May 30, they said imposition of curbs on media should be avoided to ensure freedom of expression and speech.
They said the directives were against the freedom of speech guaranteed in the Constitution, particularly under Article 19.
It is the basic right of the citizens to know the reasons and causes of any issue pertaining to their interests and the consequences for the progress of the society and the country at large, the PUFJ leadership said.
They said issuance of show-cause notice to media houses over discussing the reference filed against Justice Faez Isa was against the law and the Constitution, adding that the ban would not have any positive impact on the proceedings of the Supreme Judicial Council.