Journalist body AEMEND calls on IHC to drop contempt charges against The News journalists
AEMEND concerned over IHC order to indict three senior journalists of Jang Group on contempt charges
IHC CJ
initiated contempt proceedings against senior journalists of The News for
publishing affidavit of former chief judge GB Rana Shamim.
The
Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) on Sunday
expressed concern over IHC proceedings against three senior journalists of Jang
group. IHC has summoned the Rana Shamim and three journalists on January 07 to
induct them on contempt charges.
An order of the Islamabad High Court which
states that three journalists associated with the Jang Group, Editor in Chief
Mir Shakil-ur-Rehman, Editor Investigation Ansar Abbasi and Resident Editor
Aamir Ghouri, prima facie committed criminal contempt in reporting on an
affidavit signed by ex-chief judge of Gilgit-Baltistan Rana Shamim, and called
on the court to drop the charges.
“The court
is satisfied that the acts of the alleged contemnors, prima facie, constitute
committing criminal contempt and, therefore, proceeded under the Ordinance of
2003 by framing of charge,” the 12-page written order of the hearing, held on
December 28, said.
AEMEND, in
its statement, said that the contempt charge leveled by the court is
"worrying since the journalists merely reported an affidavit which exists
and has been verified".
The
association said that such reporting by journalists is "justified and
legitimate", since there was no ill intent involved in reporting
"such proven news".
"For
the sake of the welfare of freedom of speech and people's right to know, the
journalists are on the right for reporting such valid and genuine
stories," the statement stressed.
"We
strongly and fairly believe that indicting the respective media persons for
merely practicing their journalistic and rightful duties towards the people of
Pakistan is unjustified and we appeal to the respected judges of the Islamabad
High Court to drop all charges of contempt against the media persons," it
pleaded.
The other
media organisations including APNS, CPNE and PFUJ have also called on the IHC
to drop contempt charges against jang group journalists.
The
All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has expressed concern over the
indictment of Jang Group journalists in a contempt of court case.
In a
statement, APNS said the publication of the certified statement was based on
internationally recognized principles and journalistic standards.
The society
requested the Islamabad High Court to end the contempt of court proceedings
against the journalists.
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