Russian journalist killed in east Ukraine: employer

MOSCOW: A journalist with Russian public television has been shot dead in east Ukraine where pro-Moscow separatists are battling Ukrainian forces, the media worker´s employer Channel One said Monday.

Anatoly Klyan, a 68-year-old cameraman, was among a group of Russian journalists on a reporting trip with the insurgents, the TV channel said.

"Once on site, shots rang out from the soldiers´ side. Anatoly Klyan was mortally wounded in the stomach," said the channel.

The driver of the bus transporting the journalists was wounded and in hospital on Monday morning, said a reporter from Russian news channel Rossiya 24.Klyan had worked 40 years for the Russian channel and had carried out several missions in difficult conditions, his employer said.

On June 17, two members of a Russian television crew were killed in the ex-Soviet state´s separatist east. They were the first Russian media workers confirmed to have died in eastern Ukraine since fighting erupted there in mid-April.

Italian photographer Andrea Rocchelli and his Russian assistant Andrei Mironov were killed also killed in the restive region in late May.

TV journalist admits angels-cable operators meeting

ISLAMABAD: In a disturbing development, it has come to light that some officials of an intelligence outfit are busy in things other than ensuring national security, writes Ahmad Noorani.

An ‘angel’ and the bureau chief of a news channel have been found strategising to put Geo News off air or to push it down to No 60 on cable networks a few days back. The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) has yet to decide a complaint against Geo TV.

However, after Pemra issued a show-cause notice to Geo News a few days back, some “angels” started contacting cable operators and giving them “strict warnings” that Geo News must be pushed to the last number so that Pakistanis who love Geo News and other Geo group channels may not watch them. However, the exact identity and location of these powerful ‘angels’ was not clear. But, now the cat is out of the bag.

Angels in Lahore were continuously contacting office-bearers of the Cable Operators Association of Pakistan (CAP) and were issuing them instructions. On Monday April 28, a senior angel, Naveed, along with bureau chief of Express News, Lahore Mr Ilyas summoned a senior leader of the cable operators association in his office and asked him about the situation regarding implementation of previous orders to place Geo News on last numbers.

The president of cable operators association was informed that orders to place Geo News on the last number have not been fully complied with. President of the association assured implementation of the order.

Apparently, it appears that there is some dictatorship in the country.According to some cable operators, two other angels, Dawood and Usman, were also in contact with cable operators to get the orders implemented.

When the president of the association was contacted, he did not admit meeting Naveed on the said day. He stated: “Cable operators were pushing Geo News on last numbers on their own and no one has ordered them”.

When The News approached Mr Ilyas, Bureau Chief of Express News, for his version, in an interview he admitted visiting the angel on Monday and meeting him and the cable association president there.

He was asked that, according to The News’ information, the angels had asked for closure of Geo News by cable operators and their president was told so in that meeting. Ilyas insisted this order was not given and that he visited Naveed for some other purpose.

When asked if orders to block Geo News were not given in his presence, whether the angel ordered the pushing of Geo News to the last number, Mr Ilyas insisted that he was present there but the orders to block Geo news were not given.

However, participants of the meeting confirmed to The News that both the Express Bureau Chief and the angel fully strategized shutting down of Geo and also monitored implementation of the orders.

The admission of Ilyas regarding his presence in the angels office with the president of cable operator association proves what was going on.Geo and Jang Group have similar evidence from Multan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Sultan Ali Lakhani, who owns Express Media Group, has very old relations with angels since the days when they had managed to make him a senator on the ticket of a pro-establishment party. He managed to take a big loan of around Rs4 billion from the government bank in name of a front company in the late 80s which was jointly owned by him and relative of a top politician.

Sultan Ali Lakhani never returned the loan as per the schedule and continued investing this huge amount in different businesses. Given his high influence and links with angels, he was untouchable for the investigation agencies. However, when NAB was established and an honest person like General Amjad was appointed as its first chairman, Lakhani was finally arrested for defrauding the nation. Because of the honesty of General Amjad, the then NAB chairman, angels remained unable to help him for some duration but finally succeeded in getting him free from jail after a mysterious plea bargain deal.

Lakhani ran away from the country after his release. He finally returned to Pakistan after angels were in full control and started a newspaper.

The total amount after around two decades was touching Rs6 billion because of non payment of the principal amount and interest. Still after passing of some 26 years the loan is not paid because of influence Lakhani is commanding because of his media house.

Everyone in the media industry knows and the same is discussed in meetings of the PBA and Advertisers Society that Mr Lakhani owns a front company run by the cable operators’ association president, Khalid Arain, which gave great benefits and attractions to cable operators. Given his decades-long relation with angels, Lakhani is now using this influence with cable operators to manoeuvre things and disturb or block Geo.

Not only this, the rating agency which compiles data about ratings of TV channels had alleged some years back that Mr Lakhani had given jobs to relatives of employees of this rating agency to influence them to give high ratings to his TV channels.

Pemra laws bar any broadcasting house to run or operate distribution networks (like Cable TV networks) however Sultan Ali Lakhani indirectly owns some cable networks in Pakistan and always disturbs transmission of Geo and its other channels. The government authorities concerned know all this but opt to remain silent for obvious reasons. Even during the present regime, a few powerful officials remain in continuous touch with him and help him to continue with his objectionable practices.

Following is the text of an official August 2, 2013 letter written to Sultan Ali Lakhani by former Pemra Chairman Chaudhry Rasheed. Former Chairman Pemra also wrote different letters to Geo News top management but never ever made any such allegation.

Allegations levelled by the former Pemra chairman are with proof and complete names of questionable businesses. This letter also explains as to who was trying to get Chaudhry Rasheeed removed and also provided PTI Chief Imran Khan evidence as to how cable networks are being illegally operated in Pakistan and by whom;

“Mr Sultan Lakhani

Subject: Life Threats to the person of the Chairman, PEMRA and Publication of Defamatory Material against him in “The Express Tribune” & “Daily Express” Dated 02-08-2013

May I take this opportunity to recall the contents of our telephonic conversation last night (01.08.2013) regarding raid and seizure of equipment of M/S Panorama Cable, Rawalpindi. While I was quite formal and respectful to your good self in selection of words, your tone, tenor and meaning was harsh, revengeful and threatening. You went to the extent of saying that you would do everything possible against me and my DG Farooq and that from tomorrow it would be a different world altogether. Today’s morning newspapers (August 02, 2013) particularly your publications, “Express Tribune” and ‘Daily Express” clearly manifested what threatening posture you had adopted last night and that what else you would do in the days to come.

2. Mr Lakhani, you may be aware of the fact that restraining public officials from doing their duty is tantamount to illegal interference in the official work.

3. Let me also take this opportunity to remind you that a couple of days ago, you called me on my phone number 0300-5****85 and said that the Pemra Regional Office Islamabad had issued show cause notices to M/s Panorama Cable Network, Islamabad, M/s Panorama Cable Network, Jehlum and M/s Panorama Cable Network, Rawalpindi. You also stated that the equipment of M/s Panorama Cable Network, Rawalpindi was seized by Pemra Regional Office Islamabad. You demanded it to be returned forthwith. I had informed you that I would check the factual and legal position from the officer concerned and action would be taken in accordance with the law. The next day, you again called me and inquired the status of the said three cable networks. I informed you that the show cause notices were issued in accordance with the law and the licensees should respond to the same. Moreover, the seized equipment of M/s Panorama Cable Network Rawalpindi would be returned after completion of legal requirements when CEO of the cable network concerned visits the Pemra Regional Office, Islamabad and furnishes a written undertaking that he would not violate the law in future.

4. Finally, you called me on 01.08.2013 at 8:49PM. However, I could not take the call and returned the call after some time. However, you started threatening me. I requested you to be calm and peaceful but you continued hurling threats at me and my family and facing serious consequences. You were perturbed for the alleged raid by Pemra team on the head-end of cable operator Panorama. I told you I had checked from the officer concerned who had informed that it was a routine inspection of a number of cable operators of Rawalpindi and no special raid was conducted against Panorama. I also assured you that Pemra conducts routine inspections, however, the office of the M/s Panorama Cable Network was closed in violation of Section 29 of the PEMRA Ordinance 2002, therefore, Pemra would send a notice to the cable operator. Upon that, you again started threatening me of serious consequences and said that from tomorrow it would be a different game and I would not be Pemra chairman anymore. I also inquired as to why you were so interested in the cable business whereas under the Pemra Rules 2009, a satellite TV licensee like you cannot enter in the cable TV business.

However, you banged the phone on me.

5. When I could not be influenced, you have published a totally false and fabricated story containing wild and scurrilous accusations against me in your newspapers “The Express Tribune” and “Daily Express” on 02.08.2013. The contents of the news report are not only incorrect, false and malicious but also defamatory and an attempt to carry out my character assassination. Pertinently, there is no FIR against me either in NAB or in the FIA. As head of PID in my previous years of service, I have been called by NAB a number of times in inquiries regarding payment of outstanding dues of advertising companies. Let me also put on record that my appointment to the post of Pemra chairman was made more than six months ago by the competent authority in accordance with the law.”

The stories mentioned in this letter are forthe removal of the Pemra chairman terming his appointment illegal. These were not published in daily Jang or The News.

Imran Khan and the TV anchorperson criticising Geo must also look at these revelations and reconsider his views about targeting a single channel.

Senior journalist challenges Imran to prove allegations

ISLAMABAD: PTI chief Imran Khan’s rigging allegations against Geo have baffled many as to how a TV channel could change the results of elections by airing the speech of a leader which was also telecast by all other major channels. Seasoned journalist Iftikhar Ahmad, who headed Geo’s election transmission, has challenged Imran to have a debate so that his allegations could be better judged.

Addressing a press conference on Friday, days after the star anchor of the channel Hamid Mir was shot six times, Imran said Geo played a role in rigging by airing the speech of PML-N leader Nawaz Sharif at around 11.23pm on May 11, 2013, more than six hours after completion of polling process.

However, Imran did not explain as to why other channels did not commit any rigging by airing the same speech of Nawaz Sharif at the same time.

Imran whose party is governing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) province, conveniently ignored the fact that immediately after Mr Sharif’s speech on May 11, Geo also aired a “victory announcement” by senior PTI leader Asad Umar who claimed that his party would form government in the KP.

“If we go by the logic of Imran Khan how can (PTI MNA) Asad Umar tell before the completion of counting that PTI would form government in KP?” asked Iftikhar Ahmad who headed the Geo’s election transmission.

“How can Geo be held responsible for change in the election results for airing the speech of Nawaz Sharif six hours after the polling time? Only workers of the political party (PTI) could be held responsible for leaving the polling stations before the announcement of results as it was their job to oversee the counting process and get a signed copy of result from the polling staff,” he added.

The seasoned journalist said it was an international practice that media outlets keep their cameras and other devices at the offices of political parties to cover any possible development during and after the elections,” he said.

Iftikhar Ahmad also challenged Imran to hold a live debate with him on allegations of rigging against Geo. “Let us have a live debate on the issue so that people can decide what had actually happened.”

He also recalled that Geo also aired PTI’s allegation of rigging in Hamid Mir’s talk show at around midnight on May 11 and party’s senior leader Arif Alvi was given ample time to voice his opinion on the issue.

According to election experts, usually the results of majority of seats are known to contesting candidate within a couple of hours of polling even before the official announcement.“The party which has polling agents present in the polling stations can get the idea of results within two to three hours as the entire counting process takes place in front of all the polling agents and presiding officer is allowed to give a signed copy of result to each polling agent,” said Kanwar Dilshad who remained the longest serving Secretary of Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP).

Dilshad said it is not difficult for the leaders of major political parties and journalists to get the unofficial results prior to announcement by the ECP.“Normally the Commission does not announce the unofficial and unconfirmed results until it receives complete result from each and every polling station,” he said.

But after the voting, leaders of political parties usually maintain contact with their candidates who keep getting immediate results from every polling station through their respective polling agents, Dilshad added.

Pak journalist turns out to be Indian agent?

 

BAHAWALPUR: A Geo News cameraman was subjected to thrashing and a bid was made to snatch his camera here the other day.Geo News cameraman Asif Kabir was going to the channel’s office located in Model Town A, when three bike riders wearing helmets intercepted him.
The cameraman told this correspondent: “The three men called me a traitor and an Indian agent and assaulted me. They thrashed me and I received slaps and punches. I repeatedly told them that I’m a poor servant and have nothing to do with any issue but they never stopped and kept punching me. They also tried to snatch my camera.”The Geo cameraman said that when a car appeared on the spot, the three men escaped

Censorship forces veteran journalist to quit

ISLAMABAD: While the establishment’s activities are at a peak to instigate journalists and analysts against the Geo/Jang Group and Pakistan’s top journalist Hamid Mir, who’s lying in a hospital bed after receiving six bullets, at least one journalist, Imtiaz Alam, showed the guts and refused to bow down to any pressure and resigned from his media group for wrongly pressuring him and curbing his freedom of expression.

According to credible sources, the establishment officials are meeting different journalists and analysts and are either convincing them or pressing them to malign and defame the Geo/Jang Group in a way that the real issue — the attack on Hamid Mir — is put on the backburner.

Only a few of these journalists and analysts have accepted this duty and showed their performance in the Sunday and Monday talk shows by levelling baseless allegations in a specific emotional tone against the Geo/Jang Group and even indirectly attacked great journalist Hamid Mir who is paying the price for trying to save Balochistan and fighting for the rights of the poor Baloch people.

Hamid Mir is bed-ridden but these emotional sick minds continued their attack as was directed to them in an emotional and foolish tone and misled people by distorting facts to undermine one of the worst ever attacks on the Pakistani journalism after knowing, rather fearing, the Judicial Commission constituted by the prime minister could uncover the real facts.

Some of these journalists are known to be close friends of Hamid Mir and some are his known opponents and some are those who had been expelled from the Jang Group. None or them is hesitating to defame him and Geo News through baseless allegations. Some journalists on Monday crossed all limits of decency and attacked the Geo/Jang Group and Hamid Mir for speaking the truth and standing for principles.

These sick minds were even unable to think that pointing out any deficiency in any institution always helps it to improve and trying to be more loyal than the king himself is always harmful for the king as well as for such sick minds.

The print and broadcast journalist Imtiaz Alam has resigned from hosting his television show on Express News against what he called “the channel imposing censorship and adopting a policy hostile to the freedom of expression and media solidarity”.

In his resignation letter to the chief executive office he said:

“This is after detailed exchange of messages and telephonic conversation between us today, Monday 21 April 2014, and your refusal to allow my programme on the attack on Hamid Mir, a leading journalist and colleague, threats to freedom of media/expression and the need for media solidarity, etc, that were to go live at 07.03 pm from Lahore station, that I am constrained to issue you this 30-day notice to resign from the Express News as a host/analyst of the programme in protest against imposing censorship and adopting a policy hostile to the freedom of expression and media solidarity-in-self-defense.

“The media group’s top management got disturbed, as I was told, by the principled position taken by me in solidarity with a colleague who was attacked in Karachi. The points for today’s programme sent by me to you were appreciated by you: Following were the issues for discussion:

“Hamid Mir: issues are: right to life and social contract, freedom of speech, security of journalists and a culture of impunity, fate of enquiry commissions, professional ethics, media debates (attack on media or on sensitive institutions), ISPR’s reaction—editorial note: Need for caution and restraint; letting due process take place without prejudging or maligning any person or institution”.

“Since you were keen to run a vilification campaign against another rival media group, you insisted on pre-recording the programme so that you could censor it, knowing well that I abhorred censorship. I had told you that it was a wrong policy which would damage the whole media; it was this group yesterday when Raza Rumi was attacked and I got death threats, on which equally despicably some media groups kept quiet, it is Geo today and tomorrow it could again be this group or any other group.

“You know that I am against vilification of any person or institution and could never pre-judge any accused without investigation, nor could I ever use this group’s platform to serve anybody’s interest. Since you had other plans on the behest of somebody else to launch a campaign against your rival media group and I could never become an instrument in such a shoddy business, you preferred to plan an obnoxious programme against all media ethics telecast in place of the one I was supposed to host.

“You are aware that I have been struggling for my whole life for fundamental rights, freedom of expression, free press, professional ethics, tolerance, peace and cooperation in the region. How could I become an instrument in such a sordid business and you knew it. You could have waited for two days when I was supposed to go on leave on 23 April, but it seemed you were under great pressure from somewhere else. I don’t want to cast aspersions, but I think this group has been pressurized or followed its instincts of rivalry, as had happened in the case of this group’s newpaper when the Editor had to send a letter to his contributors not to write against extremists. It was the Taliban threat in the case of the newspaper, it is somebody else who made you take a decision even you appreciably didn’t like. I may warn you in a most friendly spirit against the consequences of this policy which is against not only the whole media but also against this media group. I may assure you that whenever this media group came under pressure from any quarter you would find me on your side. This has not happened for the first time. A few weeks ago my talk-show was also stopped on PTV, which I had started during the caretaker period.

“Let’s part ways in an honorable manner and according to our legal obligations. My dear Baig Sahib, kindly accept this 30-day notice of resignation from hosting the programme with a request for not bringing a bad name to a show that was quite credible. I will be available to do this programme if you so like during this period of resignation but without restrictions.

“My best regards with a wish that you don’t play into the hands of those who are bent upon undermining freedoms and democratic values

Journalist body elects women leaders

The Indian Journalists' Association in London has elected a woman president and general secretary for the first time in its 67-year history.

Aditi Khanna, London correspondent for Press Trust of India becomes IJA president, and Rupanjana Dutta, Associate Editor of Asian Business Publications Ltd, its general secretary.

The IJA was set up in May 1947, with the active encouragement from V.K. Krishna Menon, who subsequently became the first High Commissioner of independent India in Britain. He allowed the IJA, whose members included K.S. Shelvankar (then correspondent for The Hindu), Tarapada Basu, and Sundar Kabadi, to use the India League office, located conveniently near Fleet Street and the Indian High Commission. He also located the India Club, which he founded, in the same premises.