By Raza Ruman
Interesting story… Geo News is silent here for any so called curb on it but it is propagating on international media that the army is after it.
Al Jazera did a comprehensive program on the so called closure of Geo News. Was it a paid program?
Since there is no word by Geo News itself that it is closed in many parts of the country but interesting it is propagating through some local and international channels that military is taking action against it.
Activist Marvi Sarmad openly targeted the army in Al Jazera program acting as Geo representative.
Geo should take courage and tell the people that it’s transmission is banned at some places. Pak Destiny
Geo goes dark: Media and the military in Pakistan
Media mystery in Pakistan: who ordered Geo News off the air? Plus, covering the world’s largest biometric database.
On The Listening Post this week: Media mystery in Pakistan – who ordered Geo News off the air and why? Plus, the challenges of covering the world’s largest biometric database.
Why did Pakistan’s Geo TV go dark?
Pakistan’s most-watched broadcast network Geo TV has been off the air for more than a month across much of the country and no one in a position of authority is saying why.
Government ministers and the broadcasting regulator have denied any involvement and the cable companies that pulled the plug on Geo are staying silent. As is the Pakistani military, which has butted heads with Geo before and is suspected by numerous political and media observers as having ordered the blackout.
With no explanation offered, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif on trial for corruption, and elections coming – it would seem that Geo’s dominance of the media landscape has once again put it on a collision course with the military.
Contributors:
Hamid Mir, senior anchor, Geo News
Marvi Sirme, journalist, Daily Times
Asad Baig, executive director, Media Matters for Pakistan
Ayesha Siddiqa, research associate, SOAS University and author of Military Inc.