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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| New controls on media in Pakistan | New controls on media in Pakistan |
| (30 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. | 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. | It was sparked off by his suspension of the chief justice of the Supreme Court on 9 March. |
| Threat to premises | 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. | 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 | Chief Justice Chaudhry is now the centre of the opposition |
| Broadcasters and cable distributors who break the rules could have their premises closed down. | Broadcasters and cable distributors who break the rules could have their premises closed down. |
| Non-print media in Pakistan is regulated by the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra). | |
| Pemra will now also be able to suspend the licence of an offender, the Associated Press news agency reports. | |
| Talat Hussein, the director of news for one leading station, Aaj TV, told the BBC: "The government is getting frustrated... and the messenger is being killed for the message." | |
| He was critical of Gen Musharraf for pushing through legal amendments at a time when parliament is not in session. | |
| "It's a repressive law and it's very clear that the government does not want any visuals on the TV screens which are against its policies," Mr Hussein said. | |
| 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). | 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 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". Correspondents say it is not yet clear what this new clause will mean in practice. | |
| 'Malicious campaign' | 'Malicious campaign' |
| Since the current political crisis began in March the media, in particular television, have come under the spotlight. | 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, which have grown in number rapidly in recent years, 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | Many of their protests have resulted in bloodshed. |