Attack on media freedom

This is apropos a Business Recorder editorial "Yet another attack on media freedom" of its last Saturday's issue. The government's plan to introduce 'media courts' is clearly aimed at reducing the space for dissent and freedom of expression. The government seems to have been mulling taking this step because of growing criticism of its policies during the first year of its 5-year tenure. Little do some government advisers know that an anti-government stand cannot be equated with anti-national sentiments.
In my view the newspaper has made a valid argument in this regard: "There is no justification, therefore, to form special court for the media. This government should not forget that the right to publish or broadcast news and views is the result of a long and hard struggle waged by journalists. Any attempt at curtailment of this right will meet with fierce resistance. Already engaged in a relentless fight with the opposition and confronted with a serious economic crisis, it would be wise not to open a new front."