Pakistan / Asia

  

Pakistani journalists receive death threats after reporting called ‘fake news’ in TV program

Washington, D.C., September 1, 2020 — Pakistani authorities should investigate threats made to journalists Ahmad Noorani and Gul Bukhari and hold the perpetrators to account, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On August 27, Noorani, a co-founder and reporter at the independent investigative news website FactFocus, published an article that used pubic records to…

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Pakistani journalist Matiullah Jan, pictured here in 2019, was detained in Islamabad on November 28, 2024, in what colleagues see as retaliation for his reporting on recent protests. (Reuters/Akhtar Soomro)

Journalist Matiullah Jan abducted in Pakistan 1 day before Supreme Court hearing

New York, July 21, 2020 – Pakistan authorities should conduct a thorough and transparent investigation into the disappearance of journalist Matiullah Jan and ensure his safety, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. This morning, several unidentified men intercepted Jan’s car in Islamabad’s G-6 Sector, forced him into another vehicle, and drove away, according to…

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Pakistani journalists beaten, detained in Balochistan prison without charge for 2 days

On June 19, 2020, agents with the Pakistani Balochistan Levies force, a law enforcement agency under the direction of the Balochistan district administration, detained and beat Saeed Ali Achakzai, a reporter with the privately owned TV channel Samaa TV, and Abdul Mateen Achakzai, a reporter for privately owned broadcaster Khyber TV, according to both journalists,…

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Pakistan media regulator suspends 24NewsHD broadcaster indefinitely

Washington, D.C., July 6, 2020 — The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority should immediately lift the suspension of independent news channel 24NewsHD, and allow it to broadcast freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today. On July 3, the regulator ordered the station off the air indefinitely for the alleged “illegal transmission of news and…

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A portrait of slain Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl is seen in London on March 5, 2002. Pearl's family recently filed to uphold the convictions in the journalist's 2002 murder. (Reuters/Ian Waldie)

Family of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl files to uphold convictions in 2002 murder

Washington, D.C., May 2, 2020 — The parents of murdered Wall Street Journal correspondent Daniel Pearl today filed an appeal to the Pakistani Supreme Court to reverse the April 2 decision of the Sindh High Court that overturned convictions of four men in Pearl’s 2002 kidnapping and murder case, according to copies of court documents…

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CPJ, 73 media and rights groups urge Asian heads of state to release jailed journalists

Given that a staggering number of imprisoned journalists are held in jails across the Asian continent, CPJ and other groups call on leaders of these countries to release them at this time of grave public health concern.

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A portrait of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl stands at the altar of St. Bride's Church prior to a memorial service in London on March 5, 2002. A Pakistani court overturned the convictions of four men in Pearl's murder on April 2, 2020. (Reuters/Ian Waldie)

Pakistan court overturns murder convictions in Daniel Pearl case

Washington, D.C., April 2, 2020–In response to the decision of the Sindh High Court in Pakistan to overturn the murder convictions of four men accused in the 2002 killing of Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl, the Committee to Protect Journalists issued the following statement:

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The Geo News office is seen in Karachi, Pakistan, on April 11, 2018. Pakistan's media regulator recently restricted the broadcaster's accessibility on cable providers throughout the country. (Reuters/Akhtar Soomro)

Pakistan broadcast regulator cuts distribution of Geo News after CEO’s arrest

Washington, D.C., March 13, 2020 — Pakistan authorities should immediately lift restrictions placed on Geo News and allow it to broadcast freely, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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A facade with the names of the daily newspapers "The News International" and "Jang Daily" is seen Rawalpindi, Pakistan, on June 28, 2018. Jang Media Group CEO Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman was arrested today over a 34-year-old land dispute. (AFP/Aamir Qureshi)

CPJ demands Pakistan release Jang Media Group CEO Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman

Washington, D.C., March 12, 2020 — Pakistani authorities should immediately release Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman, the CEO, owner, and editor-in-chief of the Jang Media Group, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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Newspapers are seen in Karachi, Pakistan, on May 20, 2018. The Pakistan government recently suspended advertising to two independent media groups. (AFP/Rizwan Tabassum)

Pakistan government suspends advertising in 2 independent media groups

Washington, D.C., March 2, 2020 — Pakistani authorities should grant government advertising to outlets without regard for their editorial stances, and should lift the suspension of advertising in the Dawn and Jang media groups, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today.

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