Awaz Apni

ISLAMABAD: ARY NEWS was pulled off the air Friday night in various cities of Pakistan, apparently on pressure of the authorities annoyed at channel’s just criticism and bold editorial policy, the channel said. Cable operators in some areas of the twin cities - Islamabad and Rawalpindi - and many other cities across the country suspended the channel’s transmission from going on-air at around 10:00 p.m. Many other cable operators altered the channel’s frequency. The transmission was suspended when channel’s popular program “View on News with Dr Shahid Masood” was on-aired. Viewers faced sudden blackout at their screens during the program. Cable operators pulled the channel off the air allegedly on pressure of the government. The attempt was apparently aimed to disrupt the program in which Dr Masood with his panelists was discussing government's handling of the matter of awarding service extension to Chief of Army Staff General Ashfaq Parvez Kayani. Viewers fr...

CNews KARACHI: Clarifying allegations leveled by Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists, Chairman Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority has dispelled the impression created about alleged blackout of some TV Channels on Election day. In a press release issued from Islamabad on Saturday, terming it as unfounded and baseless, he said PEMRA has received no directions from any quarter to restrain private media from covering the election campaign. PEMRA has always worked unequivocally for facilitation and growth of free, independent and responsible private electronic media as an impartial regulator, he stated. He advised the private TV channels to abide by mutually agreed Code of Conduct between PEMRA and Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) in letter and spirit. He said the election telecast and programmes should strictly be in line with the directions issued by Election Commission of Pakistan from time to time, the Chairman said.