The Pakistan Electronic Media Authority Regulatory Authority (Pemra) took another draconian step against the 24NewsHD television channel and stopped TV channel’s satellite transmission as well on the 52nd day of the channel’s closure from the cable TV, reported 24NewsHD TV channel on Tuesday.
Journalists unions from across the country have strongly criticised the suspension of TV’s broadcasting from the satellite as well. The latest ban added another round of miseries for the TV channel putting the careers and jobs of hundreds of working journalists in the dark.
Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) strongly condemned the removal of Channel 24 news from the satellite on the direction of PEMRA and government of Pakistan.
PFUJ termed it as highly objectionable and seems to be a case of victimisation as the channel aired Pakistan Democratic Movement’s rally on YouTube.
In a joint statement issued, President PFUJ Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi called for immediate restoration of channel 24 News transmission to ensure freedom of press in the country.
They said that issue will be highlighted during the countrywide protest on 22 October apart from other issues confronted by the media in Pakistan.