Global news publishers, editors call for release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman in letter to PM Imran

ISLAMABAD: The World Association of News Publishers and the World Editors Forum, which represent 18,000 publications, 15,000 online sites and over 3,000 companies in more than 120 countries, have expressed deep concern at the arrest of Editor-in-Chief of the Jang/Geo Media Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman and called for his immediate release.

"We take this opportunity to draw your attention to the urgent need to address a declining situation for independent journalism in Pakistan, a process that, despite originating with your predecessors, has not improved under your administration," Fernando De Yarza Lopez-Madrazo, President, World Association of News Publishers, said in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Imran Khan.

He said Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman was arrested on 12 March by the National Accountability Bureau in relation to unproven events dating back to a land purchase made some 34 years ago. "The Bureau alleges that Mr. Rahman illegally leased land from the government of then Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, in 1986 and proceeded to have ownership transferred to him in 2016, when Mr. Sharif again headed the government," he noted.

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"Rahman denies the allegations and claims the property was acquired via a private transaction. We reiterate similar concerns to those raised in recent weeks by opposition politicians, the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan, and international media freedom organisations in questioning the independence of the National Accountability Bureau by denouncing what appear to be politicised moves to silence a critical voice and further stifle press freedom in the country," he added. 

"In the context of wider claims of official pressure and intimidation against Jang Media Group employees, as well as reported threats to use the media regulator to shut down its television channels, we find the arrest of Mr. Rahman particularly alarming as it fits to a pattern of orchestrated harassment against a critical independent media organisation," he noted.

"Furthermore, we understand that the ongoing suspension of official government advertising to Jang Media Group outlets and other independent titles around the country is having a highly detrimental effect, threatening the financial stability of media that were already suffering under the present economic climate and leading to retrenchments and downsizing," he maintained.

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"We remind you that the withholding of official advertising, or the preferential treatment or favouring of some media above others based on their relationship to those in power, is a form of soft censorship. This practice has a deleterious effect to the health and viability of the media ecosystem and is the antithesis to transparent, democratic governance in support of a free press," he said.

"In the context of the current global Covid-19 outbreak, we would urge you, Mr Prime Minister, to support media plurality and ensure your actions -- or those of your government -- strengthen rather than hinder the work of the independent press."

The letter called for the immediate release of Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman while the decision on whether to take his case to trial is made. "Should charges be pursued, we urge you to ensure any process is conducted independently and free from any political influence," the president WAN-IFRA concluded.

Also read: PEMRA issues show cause notice to Geo News for 'airing unipolarity of views'

SAMDEN protests actions against MSR

Leading editors and media professionals from South Asia on Friday protested actions against the media in Pakistan and India: the detention of Pakistani editor and publisher Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman in Lahore and legal action against the independent Indian online portal, The Wire.

“The preoccupation of the world public and opinion makers with the COVID-19 pandemic has made it easier for those who want to try and gag critics in the media,” said the South Asia Media Defenders Network (SAMDEN), which is anchored by co-convenors from Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

While the harassment and imprisonment of journalists has been a distressing trend in all the countries of South Asia over the past few years, SAMDEN said, “we have seen a sudden escalation in such actions over the past few weeks”. It described the actions against Rahman and The Wire as “representative of a trend across the region”.

Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman is the chief editor and proprietor of Pakistan’s largest media group, encompassing The News, Jang and Geo TV. The action against him is based on a 34-year old property transaction. 

The National Accountability Bureau detained Rahman, in violation of its own rules that do not allow arrest at the stage of verification. “The authorities appear to be dragging this case out to teach the media a lesson,” says SAMDEN.

Rahman’s arrest and detention follows a string of attacks on him and on his media group and its journalists by the authorities and non-state elements over the past years. 

Organisations such as Amnesty International, Committee to Protect Journalists, Reporters without Borders, Human Rights Watch and Association of International Broadcasters have denounced this latest action. 

Urgent appeals have been filed for his release to the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention and the UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion and Protection of the Right to Freedom of Opinion and Expression.

Originally published in The News