Following admission of stopping advertisements to certain media houses by Maryam Nawaz, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) had demanded of the PML-N leadership to apologise for its biased, undemocratic and anti-media steps.
The CPNE, in a statement, also urged the committee formed by the government to share with the nation what other measures the previous PML-N-led government had taken to influence the media and punish the unfavourite TV channels.
The CPNE said that the Maryam Nawaz’s statement was a charge sheet against the government of PML-N, which is today championing the cause of media independence.
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Earlier, PML-N Vice President Maryam had admitted that the leaked audio clip in which she can be heard issuing instructions to stop advertisements to some TV channels was genuine.
Her admission, while responding to a reporter during a press conference, has kicked up a storm in the country.
In the eight-second clip, the PML-N leader can be head instructing: “No advertisement will be given to Samaa, Channel 24, ARY and 92 News.”
24چینل کو، 92کو،سماءکواوراےآروائی کوبالکل کوئی ایڈنہیں جائےگا۔۔۔مریم نوازکی ن لیگ کے دورحکومت میں دیے گئے احکامات کی مبینہ آڈیولیک pic.twitter.com/Mmx1jnEAB5
— Ammad Yousaf (@AmmadYousaf) November 21, 2021
Information Minister Chaudhry addressing a press conference had said that an investigation will be conducted against Maryam Nawaz and her blue-eyed TV channels after her admission of controlling ads.
Fawad said PML-N’s media cell had used about Rs10 billion to fund federal government advertisements while it also controlled ads in Punjab province. Maryam Nawaz gave money to her favourite TV channels, he added.