MEDIA LEGISLATION IN PAKISTAN

INTRODUCTION:
This report lays down the salient features of the media legislation that is adhered to by the Pakistani media followed by indulging into the important unions that play an indispensable in creating a harmonious environment for media to thrive in.
The constitution of 1973 which is the foundation of all legislation in Pakistan today refers to media and freedom of expression in Article 19 of the Constitution, as amended, in the following words:
Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, commission of or incitement to an offense.
MUSHARRAF’S REGIME AND A NEW WAVE OF MEDIA LEGISLATION:
On a superficial analysis, Musharraf’s government designed the Press Laws to reduce the ability of the official powers to curb the freedom of expression.The Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance (2002):
The Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance (2002) aims to ensure that moral practices are adopted by journalists by incorporating an Ethical Code of Practice. According to this law a Press Council will be established which will be responsible for safeguarding freedom of the press and an inquiry commission which will look into public complaints against newspapers or journalists that violate the Ethical Code of Practice.
The Press, Newspapers and News Agencies Registration Ordinance (2002):
This law aims to safeguard the freedom of press, make it accountable to society and regulate the operations of news agencies. Incidents are monitored for evidence of any of use of force such as use of influence to block news. The procedure of declaration for new publication is streamlined by this law.



PAKISTAN ELECTRONIC MEDIA REGULATION AUTHORITY:
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulation Authority (PEMRA) was established on March 1, 2002 under PEMRA ordinance (2002) to improve the standard of education, information and entertainment in Pakistan and to enlarge the choice of media available to the public. It also facilitates the establishment and operation of all the electronic media broadcasters and distributors in the country. Moreover, it regulates the functioning of the different channels through its licensing policy and Code of Conduct as it aims to ensure transparency, accountability and good governance of the flow of information in media, especially in reporting.
PEMRA being the regulatory authority also has the power to cancel license of any channel or distributor its governing body feels should be censored. It can penalize the licensee as well and repeated violation may lead to fine and or imprisonment.
DEFAMATION ORDINANCE (2002):
President Gen Pervez Musharraf promulgated the Defamation Ordinance 2002. Under the defamation ordinance 2002, defamation has been defined as any wrongful act or publication or circulation of a false statement or representation made orally or in written or visual form which injures the reputation of a person, tends to lower him in the estimation of others or tends to reduce him to ridicule, unjust criticism, dislike, contempt or hatred shall be actionable as defamation.
FREEDOM OF INFORMATIONS ORDINANCE (FIO) 2002:
This ordinance aimed to allow easy access of information to the general public and strengthen the transparency of governance. The law allows for individuals to ask for information from government officials but also includes broad exemptions to restrict release of information.

MOTION PICTURE ORDINANCE (1979):
As for regulating film, the outdated Motion Pictures Ordinance of 1979 is still in effect. It only elucidates certain principles without setting a code of ethics. Among other conditions, the film code considers a film unfit for exhibition if it displays the living human figure "in the nude or in indecorous clothing in an obviously licentious manner with the intent to provoke lustful passion."
The Central Board of Film Censors (CBFC) is the regulatory body and censorship board of Pakistan. The CBFC is governed by the Motion Picture Ordinance, 1979 and rules made there under. The prime statuary function of the CBFC is censorship of films

MEDIA UNIONS OF PAKISTAN
INTRODUCTION:
For the Media Unions section, we would delve into various unions and organizations that are related to different branches of the media and are working to safeguard the interests of the media in the Pakistani society.
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS (PFUJ):
PFUJ is arguably South Asia’s first association representing the journalists of an entire country. Interestingly, PFUJ started out as Karachi Union of Journalists (KUJ). The model of KUJ was applied to different provinces as other unions of journalists sprung up. Thus the integration of all the unions of journalists in the country under one banner and platform was proposed and adopted in 1950. Set up primarily to work towards a better working environment for Pakistani journalists, it didn’t remain isolated from the struggles and campaigns launched by the civil society.
Council for Newspaper Editors of Pakistan:
The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has worked since its foundation in 1957 as the combined body of Newspaper Editors in Pakistan to campaign for defence of press freedom and the right of access to information in the service of democratic practice and strengthening of democratic institutions in the country.
ALL PAKISTAN NEWSPAPER SOCIETY:
The All Pakistan Newspapers Society is an organization of all the publishers of Pakistan. It was founded in 1953 by the major, pioneering editors and publishers of the day to facilitate the exchange of views between the editors of the major publications of Pakistan and to protect the rights of newspapers by giving them a voice to appeal unfair decisions against them.
PAKISTAN PRESS FOUNDATION:
Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF) is an independent media research, documentation and training centre working to promote and defend freedom of press. It was reactivated in 1992 and has since been involved in assisting the development of independent media in Pakistan by conducting training programmes for journalists, carrying out projects in research and documentation, and campaigning to defend and promote freedom of the press. The organization has worked for the improvement of professional skills, and in helping to raise journalists’ awareness of professional, social, political and human-rights issues.
KARACHI PRESS CLUB:
The Karachi Press Club (KPC) is an association of primarily news journalists, but also includes academics, business people and members of the public service. Our trip to Karachi Press Club was a rather interesting one in the sense that it revealed some engrossing yet shocking facts the functions and the reality behind Karachi Press Club and journalism that is prevalent in the Pakistani society today.
Karachi Press Club is actually a recreational activity center for journalists which is housed with facilities. The ground floor comprises the main hall where press conferences and functions with large audiences are held. The upper floor houses a well-stocked library, a committee room, and a TV lounge. There is also ample room for carom board and chess enthusiasts, a card room, and even a small bar.
Since the press club is a meeting place for the journalists who are working for various organizations so it provides opportunity for journalists to meet and discuss the various issues in the country and media. At the same time, the Press Club also provides a platform for the politicians and leaders to hold press conferences and project their views and record their protests. Most of the protests take place here only because it gets maximum media coverage due to the great amount of journalists present at the venue. Furthermore, the heritage monument that Karachi Press Club is can also be considered a safe haven for the protestors from police baton charge.
One of the shocking revelations however was made by the ex-president of Karachi Press Club who stated very clearly that the interviews that journalists take from politicians and leaders are all pre-determined. Not only are proper scripts created but actions and gestures to be made to sensationalize the interview are also decided pre-hand. He went on to also disclose that the speeches made by the politicians and the press conference content are also mostly written by the journalists.