SJAS condemns suspension of ARY News broadcast

KARACHI: Sports Journalist Association of Sindh (SJAS) condemned the unjust suspension of ARY News’s transmission throughout the country.

SJAS, in a statement, termed the blockage of ARY News by the federal government against the traditions of democracy, while emphasizing that the government should follow legal procedure in case of reservations.

“Retaliation against any institution is against the democratic tradition. Freedom of speech is our fundamental right. The government should take the legal route for its reservations,” SJAS spokesperson stated.

The journalists’ association went on to condemn the rulers, asserting that during each era, they had exacted revenge on particular institutions.

“How can it be right to do the same action that you condemn while being in the opposition and come to power?” SJAS questioned.

SJAS then went on to claim that the victimization of any institution, causes harm to the journalists associated with it.

“Journalists are the only ones who are harmed by action against institutions. In the past, only media workers were the victims of actions against various media houses,” the statement concluded.

It is pertinent to mention here that the transmission of ARY News was taken down in parts of Pakistan following the orders of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to the cable operators.

Following this, the transmission of ARY News was suspended in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad, Sialkot, Hyderabad, Faisalabad and other cities. The position of ARY News was also changed in different areas of Rawalpindi city.

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