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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| New controls on media in Pakistan | New controls on media in Pakistan |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| President Pervez Musharraf has signed into immediate effect measures to increase control over the media. | President Pervez Musharraf has signed into immediate effect measures to increase control over the media. |
| Current regulations related to television have been extended to the internet and mobile phones. | Current regulations related to television have been extended to the internet and mobile phones. |
| Some regulations on who is allowed to be licensed to broadcast in Pakistan have been extended to cover "any foreign non-governmental organisation". | Some regulations on who is allowed to be licensed to broadcast in Pakistan have been extended to cover "any foreign non-governmental organisation". |
| Gen Musharraf has been highly critical of the media in recent weeks over its coverage of opposition protests. | Gen Musharraf has been highly critical of the media in recent weeks over its coverage of opposition protests. |
| Correspondents say Gen Musharraf is facing the most serious challenge to his rule from a coalition of opposition parties and groups. | |
| It was sparked off by his suspension of the chief justice of the Supreme Court on 9 March. | |
| Threat to premises | |
| The amended media regulations were changed on Monday because "circumstances exist which render it necessary to take immediate action", a government statement said. | |
| Chief Justice Chaudhry is now the centre of the opposition | |
| Broadcasters and cable distributors who break the rules could have their premises closed down. | |
| Regulations previously only applying to 'direct to home' television services will now apply to 'IPTV, Mobile TV' (video content on the internet and TV on mobile phones). | |
| The new rules also extend the restrictions on foreign broadcasting in Pakistan. Until now there were bans on non-Pakistanis and foreign companies. | |
| The new restrictions now include "any foreign non-governmental organisation". | |
| 'Malicious campaign' | |
| Since the current political crisis began in March the media, in particular television, have come under the spotlight. | |
| President Musharraf has openly criticised TV stations for giving airtime to his critics. | |
| On Friday top army commanders said there was a "malicious campaign" against institutions of the state by a small minority of vested interests. | |
| On the same day two private TV channels were prevented from live broadcasting after making alleged criticisms of the army and judiciary. | |
| Gen Musharraf suspended Supreme Court Chief Justice Iftikhar Chaudhry because he said he was guilty of misuse of office. | |
| Judge Chaudhry's supporters say that Gen Musharraf was trying to muzzle the independence of the judiciary in an election year. | |
| Most of Pakistan's legal community came out in open support of the judge. They were soon joined by Pakistan's religious and secular opposition parties. | |
| Many of their protests have resulted in bloodshed. |