The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120 countries expressed concern over use of advertisements to pressure newspapers in Pakistan to curtail their criticism of the government.
In a letter addressed to the President Pervez Musharraf, IPI Director, Johann Frtiz said that in February the government banned advertising in newspapers belonging to one of Pakistan's leading media organisations, the Nawa-i-Waqt Group of Publications, and other publications.
He added that in the past, many of these newspapers had been critical of the government and IPI feared that the ban was being used to weaken the independent media in Pakistan.
Moreover, IPI believes that freedom of expression and freedom of the press were of such importance that it must not be suppressed by direct or indirect measures, including the use of advertising as a means of leverage over the media.
The IPI director said while government had a choice when allocating advertising it should not be guided by malice or favouritism.
In the present case, IPI was worried that the decision, to ban the Nawa-i-Waqt Group of Publications, was designed to convey a clear message to the Pakistan media that criticism of the government could have dire financial consequences.
The IPI asked the Pakistan government to do everything possible to ensure that this highly selective and unfair ban was lifted to halt further attempts at influencing the media and their reporting, and to ensure that newspapers were allowed to publish in Pakistan without any further harassment or pressure.