CPJ asks Pemra not to act against Geo on spurious complaint

ISLAMABAD: The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), like many other organisations inside and outside the country, says that it is greatly concerned by actions brought by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence Directorate (ISI) against the Geo TV.

While the ISI has a string of failures in its record, the most glaring that of being unaware about the presence of Osama Bin Laden in the vicinity of Kakul for six years, it has the audacity now to ask for the closure of Geo television.

“In its complaint to the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority, the ISI accused Geo’s parent company, the Independent Media Corporation, of conducting a false and scandalous campaign undermining the integrity and tarnishing the image of state institution (ISI) and its officers,” says the CPJ.

The media regulator has the authority to shut down broadcasters based on such complaints, and has done so under previous administrations of Pakistan.“We call on the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority not to act on this spurious complaint, and we call on Pakistan’s security services to recognise the critical role of the media and exercise tolerance and maturity,” said Bob Dietz, CPJ’s Asia programme coordinator. “The ISI is free to rebut allegations in the media but should not try to censor coverage.”

Tension between Pakistan’s military and intelligence communities and much of the media swiftly escalated following an assassination attempt on Geo TV anchor Hamid Mir on April 19. Mir was hit with six rounds from assailants on motorcycles as his car was travelling between Karachi’s airport and the centre of the city. Mir is severely wounded and recovering in a hospital. Geo TV has broadcast accusations that the ISI was involved in the murder attempt, adds the statement.

Harassment by the ISI against journalists is a matter of record and it is a rare journalist who has not been threatened by the ISI in their career. Journalists murdered in the past had made it known in their lifetime that if anything happened to them, the ISI would be responsible.

It is time for the ISI to take a hard long look at itself to try and find out why it is resented so strongly by independent journalists.It would also help matters if the army chief, instead of fire fighting and running to the support of various army institutes, begins to believe unarmed journalists who have serious complaints against the ISI for several decades now.

Shut down Geo, Pemra asked on ISI complaint

 

ISLAMABAD: On the complaint of the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), the Defence Ministry on Tuesday directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to take action against the Geo TV network for levelling allegations against the ISI.
According to an official source, the application was submitted to the media regulator under Sections 33 and 36 of the Pemra Ordinance 2002 after approval from the Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif.

The application sought legal action against the channel management for framing allegations against the ISI and its DG Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam.According to a statement, the ministry also provided the authority with the relevant evidence suggesting the media group’s involvement in tarnishing the image of the intelligence agency.

“The news channel has breached the code of conduct by accusing Director General (DG) of the ISI Lt. Gen. Zaheerul Islam of masterminding the attempt on senior journalist Hamid Mir,” the statement said. It added that action would be taken against the channel’s editorial and management team.

“All those who are involved in the mala fide broadcast, riddled with baseless allegations, will be taken to task,” the statement said.Meanwhile, in a statement, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan declared the recent murder attempt on Hamid Mir a tragedy not only for the channel and family, but also for journalists and the entire nation.

He, however, took exception to the way the issue of the murder attempt on Hamid Mir had been used as a springboard to malign national institutions without concrete evidence.He pointed out that there was no justification for the allegations when the government had already set up a three-member judicial commission.

Meanwhile, Nisar remarked that there was no precedent in any country of the way important defence institutions were criticised and targeted and allegations levelled against them.“The propaganda against the institutions by some particular circles was exploited and propagated by the enemies the world over,” he noted.

The interior minister said when officers and Jawans of the defence forces were sacrificing their lives and shedding blood for Pakistan, this one-sided and negative propaganda was not only a matter of concern, but also condemnable.“When the government has established a judicial commission what’s the purpose of such allegations,” he asked.

Aamir Khan lodges complaint with Mumbai police

Aamir Khan

 

Bollywood star Aamir Khan has registered a complaint with the Mumbai police in the wake of a defamatory campaign against him on social networking website Facebook. The "malicious messages are wrong and baseless", he has said.

Aamir Saturday met Mumbai Police Commissioner Rakesh Maria and Joint commissioner (law and order) Sadanand Date. The officials have assured swift investigation and action. The Cyber Cell of the Crime Bureau will investigate the case, said an official statement.

Aamir made his TV debut with "Sataymev Jayate" (SMJ) in May 2012 and the show, dealing with sensitive social issues like female feticide, domestic violence and child abuse, received a warm welcome from the TV viewers after it went on air on Star Plus. Some of the episodes dealing with female feticide and malpractices in medical field recorded the highest ratings.

Aamir Khan's Satyamev Jayate lets down Bihar villagers

He launched the second season March 2 on STAR India channels with a sensitive issue of rape, and the second episode, beamed Sunday, talked about police force.

It has been alleged in the messages on social networking site (https://www.facebook.com/AwakIND/posts/10151964856603531?stream_ref=10) that that when at the end of the show, Aamir asks for donations for Humanity Trust, the money is used for masjid construction assistance and placement assistance for Muslim youth.

Aamir took to his Facebook page and clarified that he is associated with Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, West Bengal, not the other Humanity Trust.

"False and malicious messages are circulating through various electronic media. including WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks, alleging that donations are being sought in my television program 'Satyamev Jayate' Season 2, in relation to an entity by the name of Humanity Trust, which is claimed to be working in the field of Masjid Construction Assistance and placement assistance for Islamic youngsters. This is entirely false," Aamir said in his March 7 post on https://www.facebook.com/aamirkhan.com.

"I would like to clarify that 'Satyamev Jayate', in Season 1 was associated with Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, West Bengal, a charitable hospital run by Ajoy Mistry and his mother Subhashini Mistry. Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, West Bengal, is doing excellent work in the field of health care and provides free medical facilities to the poor. More information can be found on their website www.humanityhospital.org and our websitehttp://www.satyamevjayate.in/every-life-is-precious/humanity-trust.aspx. "

"Please note that Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, has nothing to do with Humanity Trust referred to in the malicious messages. I would like to clarify that all donations sought in SMJ are used and channelized for entirely deserving and secular causes, contrary to the content of the highly mischievous/malicious insinuations in the messages, being circulated by vested and unscrupulous interest."

"These malicious messages are entirely false, wrong and baseless. I categorically deny that SMJ has anything to do with Humanity Trust as stated in the malicious messages or that we have called for donations in the name of the said entity. I urge the members of the public to disregard the said malicious message," he wrote.

He also urged viewers to seek information on all NGOs featured on the show on websitewww.satyamevjayate.in.

"Spread the love guys," he wrote.

Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan files complaint against WhatsApp text

Bollywood actor, Aamir Khan (Photo-DC)

 Mumbai: Actor Aamir Khan lodged a complaint with the Mumbai police on Saturday over alleged “malicious” messages circulating on WhatsApp and social networking sites about the source of donations for the second season of reality show Satyamev Jayate.
According to Aamir, the messages wrongly claim the donations are being sought by Humanity Trust, which is involved in masjid construction and finding employment for Muslim youth. The actor, on his Facebook page has clarified that the show is actually associated with another organisation with the same name based in Hanspukur in West Bengal, which specialises in charitable and free healthcare in rural areas.
“I would like to clarify that all donations sought in SMJ are used and channelised for entirely deserving and secular causes, contrary to the content of the highly mischievous/malicious insinuations in the messages, being circulated by vested and unscrupulous interest,” said Aamir.
On Saturday, he met the crime branch chief, joint CP where he submitted a written complaint following which a preliminary inquiry has been initiated.
“We have accepted a written application and have  forwarded the case to the cyber crime investigation cell to seek more information. Depending upon their findings, we will decide whether to register a cognisable offence in the case,” said joint CP  Sadanand Date.
Aamir has appealed to people on Facebook to disregard the “malicious” messages.

Aamir Khan lodges complaint against false allegations on ‘Satyamev Jayate’

It was alleged that the donation money from 'Satyamev Jayate' is used for masjid construction assistance, etc.

According to reports, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan has registered a complaint with the Mumbai police post the defamatory campaign against him and ‘Satyamev Jayate’ on Facebook.
It has been alleged in the messages on social networking site facebook.com/AwakIND that when at the end of the show, Aamir asks for donations for Humanity Trust, the money is used for masjid construction assistance and placement assistance for Muslim youth.
Aamir however clarified on his official Facebook page that the messages were “malicious… wrong and baseless”.
According to reports Aamir Khan met Mumbai Police Commissioner and Joint commissioner (law and order) on March 8. The officials have assured swift investigation and action with the Cyber Cell investigating the case.
Aamir Khan’s television series ‘Satyamev Jayate’, based on bringing about awareness on various social issues, started with its second season on March 2, 2014. The first season which started in May 2012 dealt with topics like female foeticide, domestic violence and child abuse, while the second season started with the rise in rape cases and the second on the law and order and police force in the country.
On March 7 Aamir Khan took to his Facebook page and clarified that he is associated with Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, West Bengal, not the other Humanity Trust.
His message read:
Hi Guys,
False and malicious messages are circulating through various electronic media including Whatsapp, Facebook, Twitter and other social media networks alleging that donations are being sought in my television program Satyamev Jayate Season 2, in relation to an entity by the name of Humanity Trust which is claimed to be working in the field of Masjid Construction Assistance and placement assistance for Islamic youngsters. This is entirely false. I would like to clarify that Satyamev Jayate, in Season 1 was associated with Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, West Bengal which is a charitable hospital run by Dr. Ajoy Mistry and his mother Subhashini Mistry. Humanity Trust, Hanspukur, West Bengal is doing excellent work in the field of health care and provides free medical facilities to the poor. More information can be found on their website http://www.humanityhospital.org and our website http://www.satyamevjayate.in/every-life-is-precious/humanity-trust.aspx.
Please note that Humanity Trust, Hanspukur has nothing to do with Humanity Trust referred to in the malicious messages. I would like to clarify that all donations sought in SMJ are used and channelized for entirely deserving and secular causes, contrary to the content of the highly mischievous/malicious insinuations in the messages, being circulated by vested and unscrupulous interest.
These malicious messages are entirely false, wrong and baseless. I categorically deny that SMJ has anything to do with Humanity Trust as stated in the malicious messages or that we have called for donations in the name of the said entity. I urge the members of the public to disregard the said malicious message. For more information on all NGOs featured on the show, please visit our website http://www.satyamevjayate.in
Spread the love guys.
Cheers.
Aamir.