The two ordinances amend laws related to print and electronic media, preventing them to publish any material that abets terrorist activities or terrorism – the definition of which can be very large.

According to Metcalf, many of the country’s private TV news channel continue to operate as they did previously, despite contradictory reports. They appear to be oblivious to the new ordinance, which prevents electronic media from broadcasting any material which, among other things, is "prejudicial to maintenance of law and order."

Cable transmissions, however, will only be allowed to resume once an agreement has been reached with broadcaster about their new “code of conduct.”

As for the press, the Daily Times reported that officials have been asked to monitor 21 national Urdu and English newspapers to make sure they respect the new press ordinance.

Both television stations and the press have upheld their very critical coverage of the government’s policies and regulations. If they continue to do so and no agreement is reached, the government could simply resort to tougher coercive methods.

(Several journalists, lawyers and more, including Imtiaz Alam, were illegally detained in the previous days.)

But “to do so on a widespread, draconian scale would be to reverse the policy of media liberalization which government officials so frequently point to as one of the accomplishments of President Musharraf's time in power,” wrote Metcalf.

At the beginning of June, President Musharraf had already introduced restrictive regulations concerning the media, but the ordinance of the time was withdrawn after a week, after widespread protests. Let’s hope this happens again.

For previous coverage about the situation in Pakistan, click here.

Source: BBC Monitoring