The Lahore High Court on Thursday (May 23) heard a challenge to Pakistan's media watchdog's restriction on reporting on the nation's ongoing court proceedings . On May 21, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited TV news networks from providing news, analysis, and opinions regarding the ongoing legal processes.

The Lahore High Court on Thursday (May 23) heard a challenge to Pakistan's media watchdog's restriction on reporting on the nation's ongoing court proceedings . On May 21, the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) prohibited TV news networks from providing news, analysis, and opinions regarding the ongoing legal processes. Various journalist associations have have rejected PEMRA's ban, stating it violates the country’s Constitution. This restriction is intended to prevent judges' "adverse comments" from being publicised in cases involving former prime minister Imran Khan and the interference of intelligence agencies in court proceedings. Tensions have been simmering between the judges of the Islamabad High Court and the military-backed government of Shehbaz Sharif over the alleged meddling of intelligence agencies in legal matters. The former accused the latter of using coercion to get desired verdicts in various cases, particularly those involving Imran Khan and the leaders of his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-i-Insaf (PTI). Also read: Vinay Waikul on working with Sonali Bendre in Broken News, and media's need for course correction The PEMRA notice was released on the same day that the Islamabad High Court questioned the spy agency Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), about the purported abduction of Kashmiri poet Ahmad Farhad. The PEMRA announcement was contested at the LHC on Thursday by attorney Samra Malik, who claimed that it was "illegal and violative of Article-19 and 19-A of the Constitution." She asked that the media regulator's "illegal" notice be declared unlawful by the court and postponed until the petition's outcome was determined. “TV channels are directed to refrain from airing tickers/headlines about court proceedings and shall only report the written orders of the court. Don't air content including commentary, opinions or suggestions about the potential fate of sub judice matter which tends to prejudice the determination by a court, tribunal,” PEMRA said in its notification. (With inputs from agencies)

Lahore High Court hears challenge to PEMRA's media reporting ban on court proceedings

The Centre has said that if the Supreme Court decides on the issue of media regulation then such an exercise should be undertaken with the digital media first as it has faster reach and information has the potential to go viral due to applications like WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook.

The government told the apex court that sufficient framework and judicial pronouncements exist for the electronic and the print media.

"Considering the serious impact and the potential, it is desirable that if this court decides to undertake the exercise, it should first be undertaken with regard to digital media as there already exists sufficient framework and judicial pronouncements with regard to electronic media and print media," said the counter affidavit, filed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

It is submitted that while in a mainstream media (whether electronic or print), the publication /telecast is a one-time act, the digital media has faster reach from wider range of viewership/ readership and has the potential to become viral because of several electronic applications like Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook,&nbsp;it said.

The affidavit was filed in a pending matter in which the top court is hearing a petition which has raised grievance over Sudarshan TV's 'Bindas Bol' programme whose promo had claimed that channel would show the 'big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service'.

A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud had on September 15 restrained the channel from telecasting its episodes of programme for two days, saying the intent&nbsp;of aired episodes prima facie&nbsp;appears to vilify&nbsp;the community.

The bench had suggested that a committee of apolitical experts of distinguished citizens or former judges may be appointed to help in self-regulating the electronic media specially.

The apex court is scheduled to hear the matter today.

In its affidavit, the Centre has said that subject matter of the present petition namely balancing between the journalist freedom and responsible journalism is a field already occupied either by the statutory provisions made by the Parliament or by the judgments of this court".

"It is respectfully submitted that in view of the issue having already received attention of the Parliament, as well as, of this court, the present petition be confined to only one channel namely Sudarshan TV and this court may not undertake the exercise of laying down any further guidelines with or without appointment of an amicus or a committee of persons as amicus," the affidavit said.

It said that situation in each case shall have to be decided on a case-to-case basis and a broader exercise "which is too general in nature is neither warranted nor permissible."

The affidavit said, "Even if this court considers it appropriate to undertake the said exercise, there is no justification to confine this exercise only to mainstream electronic media. The media includes mainstream electronic media, mainstream print media as well as a parallel media namely digital print media and digital web-based news portal and You Tube channels as well as 'over the top' platforms (OTTs)."

Referring to earlier verdicts delivered by the apex court, the affidavit said it lays down the correct legal proposition requiring no general exercise to be undertaken merely based upon one episode or few episodes of a channel.

Separately, Sudarshan TV has also filed an affidavit in the apex court and claimed that it has no ill-will against any community or any individual and the programme concerns a matter of grave national interest.

The channel claimed that it has used word like 'UPSC Jehad' in its programme as an institute for Muslim UPSC aspirants has received foreign funds, also from those which are linked to organisations that allegedly funds extremist groups.

The Centre has said that if the Supreme Court decides on the issue of media regulation then such an exercise should be undertaken with the digital media first as it has faster reach and information has the potential to go viral due to applications like WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook.

The Centre has said that if the Supreme Court decides on the issue of media regulation then such an exercise should be undertaken with the digital media first as it has faster reach and information has the potential to go viral due to applications like WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook. The government told the apex court that sufficient framework and judicial pronouncements exist for the electronic and the print media. "Considering the serious impact and the potential, it is desirable that if this court decides to undertake the exercise, it should first be undertaken with regard to digital media as there already exists sufficient framework and judicial pronouncements with regard to electronic media and print media," said the counter affidavit, filed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. It is submitted that while in a mainstream media (whether electronic or print), the publication /telecast is a one-time act, the digital media has faster reach from wider range of viewership/ readership and has the potential to become viral because of several electronic applications like Whatsapp, Twitter, Facebook, it said. The affidavit was filed in a pending matter in which the top court is hearing a petition which has raised grievance over Sudarshan TV's 'Bindas Bol' programme whose promo had claimed that channel would show the 'big expose on conspiracy to infiltrate Muslims in government service'. A bench headed by Justice D Y Chandrachud had on September 15 restrained the channel from telecasting its episodes of programme for two days, saying the intent of aired episodes prima facie appears to vilify the community. The bench had suggested that a committee of apolitical experts of distinguished citizens or former judges may be appointed to help in self-regulating the electronic media specially. The apex court is scheduled to hear the matter today. In its affidavit, the Centre has said that subject matter of the present petition namely balancing between the journalist freedom and responsible journalism is a field already occupied either by the statutory provisions made by the Parliament or by the judgments of this court". "It is respectfully submitted that in view of the issue having already received attention of the Parliament, as well as, of this court, the present petition be confined to only one channel namely Sudarshan TV and this court may not undertake the exercise of laying down any further guidelines with or without appointment of an amicus or a committee of persons as amicus," the affidavit said. It said that situation in each case shall have to be decided on a case-to-case basis and a broader exercise "which is too general in nature is neither warranted nor permissible." The affidavit said, "Even if this court considers it appropriate to undertake the said exercise, there is no justification to confine this exercise only to mainstream electronic media. The media includes mainstream electronic media, mainstream print media as well as a parallel media namely digital print media and digital web-based news portal and You Tube channels as well as 'over the top' platforms (OTTs)." Referring to earlier verdicts delivered by the apex court, the affidavit said it lays down the correct legal proposition requiring no general exercise to be undertaken merely based upon one episode or few episodes of a channel. Separately, Sudarshan TV has also filed an affidavit in the apex court and claimed that it has no ill-will against any community or any individual and the programme concerns a matter of grave national interest. The channel claimed that it has used word like 'UPSC Jehad' in its programme as an institute for Muslim UPSC aspirants has received foreign funds, also from those which are linked to organisations that allegedly funds extremist groups.

Regulate digital media first, sufficient framework exists on print, electronic media: Centre to SC

A protest was held in Sri Lanka on Tuesday for the release of prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam who was arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly giving an interview to&nbsp;Al-Jazeera against the government.

The protest, led by a group of journalists of Sri Lanka also included media rights and human rights activists.

The protestors held the demonstration outside Bangladesh high commission and demanded the release of the photojournalist.

A petition addressing Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina was also handed over to High Commission in which protestors condemned the detention and called for immediate release.

"We also call for a stop to all attacks on freedom of expression, enforced disappearances extrajudicial execution and other human rights violations in Bangladesh and to ensure an independent and impartial investigation into those violations," The petition read.

The protest has also received support on social media.

Alam, 63, was arrested in August in Dhaka for sedition, hours after he gave an interview to Al-Jazeera regarding students' protests.

In the interview, he spoke against the Hasina's government and its crackdown on students' protests calling for better road safety regulations.

He was arrested on charges of spreading rumours on social media with the aim of inciting violence, said Dhaka's additional deputy commissioner of police, Obaidur Rahman. Shahidul Alam was later charged for spreading information that would "deprave or corrupt" or prejudice the "image of the state".

His arrest has caused international outrage.

Rights group Amnesty International has also called for Alam's immediate and unconditional release, saying he was held after an interview to Al-Jazeera English on the Dhaka protests.

A protest was held in Sri Lanka on Tuesday for the release of prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam who was arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly giving an interview to Al-Jazeera against the government.

A protest was held in Sri Lanka on Tuesday for the release of prominent photojournalist Shahidul Alam who was arrested in Bangladesh for allegedly giving an interview to Al-Jazeera against the government. The protest, led by a group of journalists of Sri Lanka also included media rights and human rights activists. The protestors held the demonstration outside Bangladesh high commission and demanded the release of the photojournalist. A petition addressing Bangladesh prime minister Sheikh Hasina was also handed over to High Commission in which protestors condemned the detention and called for immediate release. "We also call for a stop to all attacks on freedom of expression, enforced disappearances extrajudicial execution and other human rights violations in Bangladesh and to ensure an independent and impartial investigation into those violations," The petition read. The protest has also received support on social media. Alam, 63, was arrested in August in Dhaka for sedition, hours after he gave an interview to Al-Jazeera regarding students' protests. In the interview, he spoke against the Hasina's government and its crackdown on students' protests calling for better road safety regulations. He was arrested on charges of spreading rumours on social media with the aim of inciting violence, said Dhaka's additional deputy commissioner of police, Obaidur Rahman. Shahidul Alam was later charged for spreading information that would "deprave or corrupt" or prejudice the "image of the state". His arrest has caused international outrage. Rights group Amnesty International has also called for Alam's immediate and unconditional release, saying he was held after an interview to Al-Jazeera English on the Dhaka protests.

Sri Lankan journalists hold protest, demand release of Bangladeshi photojournalist