Date:17/11/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/11/17/stories/2007111761231400.htm

National

Editors Guild flays Pakistan media curbs

Special Correspondent

NEW DELHI: The Editors Guild of India on Friday expressed solidarity with journalists in Pakistan against the curbs on media freedom imposed after the proclamation of Emergency.

In a statement, the Guild urged the Pakistani authorities to withdraw immediately the Emergency, end the abuse of police and military powers, and punish all violators of human rights.

“We share the Pakistani media’s concerns over the present situation and fully support their demand for the immediate withdrawal of the two laws that have severely hampered the normal functioning of the print media and forced private television news channels to go off the air,” it said.

Further, the Guild urged the authorities there to take all necessary steps to restore the full structures and practices of democracy, “ensuring a freely operating and plural mass media.”