Journalist bodies condemn suspension of govt ads to Dawn Media Group

KARACHI: Various media organisations have strongly condemned the government’s unannounced suspension of advertisements to Dawn Media Group’s television and radio channels, following earlier restrictions on advertisements to the group’s flagship newspaper, Dawn.

The media bodies have demanded the immediate withdrawal of the ban.

In a statement, the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) said that Dawn is among Pakistan’s most credible media organisations and that cutting off government advertisements is tantamount to financially crippling the institution.

Quoting its president and secretary general, the CPNE recalled that the Dawn Media Group has been providing the public with information through independent journalism since the creation of Pakistan.

The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) also expressed concern over the suspension of government advertisements to Dawn Media Group’s outlets, saying it was “deeply disappointed” by the decision.

In a press release, the APNS said that the daily Dawn had been facing cuts in government advertisements for the past 13 months, and that the government has now also deprived Dawn Media’s news channel and radio channel of official advertisements — a move it described as not only unjust but also an attack on freedom of expression.

The APNS said that the step was aimed at forcing the media group to alter its editorial policy, adding that government advertisements are paid from the national exchequer and must not be used as a tool to silence dissenting voices.

It said that the APNS stands in solidarity with the Dawn Media Group during this period of financial pressure and urged both federal and provincial governments to review their unconstitutional decision and restore government advertisements to the group.

The Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) also condemned the advertising ban on Dawn’s outlets, saying it has consistently opposed the use of advertisements as a tool to control the media and curb freedom of expression.

The PBA said that at a time when misinformation is rampant on social media, the role of traditional media has become even more critical. It called on the government to immediately lift the advertising ban in the interest of free and responsible journalism.