Pakistan is proposing a law to restrict graphic coverage of militant attacks, and possibly curb harsh criticism of the government, by increasingly independent television channels.
If approved by the National Assembly, the bill, known as the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority Bill, would ban live coverage of the militant attacks, as well as broadcast of "anything defamatory against the organs of the state."
It would also prevent discussions which could "influence" the judiciary at a time when it has been dealing with several political cases involving President Asif Ali Zardari.
The new bill prohibits media from broadcasting video footage of suicide bombers, bodies of victims of terror attacks, statements from Islamist militants and any acts "which promote, aid or abet terrorist or terrorism."
More importantly, what's "anything defamatory against the organs of the state"? If you publish something showing the Minister of Defense taking a bribe, and have the photographic proof to show it, that's pretty darn defamatory. But it's also true and a legitimate story about how the country is run.
By: Brant
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