The ridiculous media blackout continues. Channels can only come back on the air if they agree to sign and abide by the "new rules" that PEMRA has put forth - what journalists are describing as a "PCO for the media."
The absurdity of the situation is that these channels can be seen outside Pakistan, so that often news is being relayed by overseas Pakistanis to their relatives INSIDE Pakistan. By one estimate, more than 500 million text messages have been exchanged internationally in one week (making the mobile phone companies very rich).
Many of the Pakistani channels can be seen in India as well, so that Indians are more informed about events in Pakistan - and they are seeing news about Pakistan from a Pakistani point of view (for the first time). And the current cricket series between India and Pakistan is being broadcast on Geo Super - except that we can't watch Geo Super so no one in Pakistan is being able to watch the matches!
The channels are losing something like Rs. 10 million per day, which leads me to wonder just how long they will be able to hold out against the regime. But they have been admirable thus far.
Many of the Pakistani channels can be seen in India as well, so that Indians are more informed about events in Pakistan - and they are seeing news about Pakistan from a Pakistani point of view (for the first time). And the current cricket series between India and Pakistan is being broadcast on Geo Super - except that we can't watch Geo Super so no one in Pakistan is being able to watch the matches!
The channels are losing something like Rs. 10 million per day, which leads me to wonder just how long they will be able to hold out against the regime. But they have been admirable thus far.
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