(PPF/IFEX) – On 10 July 2003, the municipal government of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, imposed a number of restrictions on the media in light of ethnic and sectarian tensions caused by a recent bomb explosion that killed dozens of people at a Shiite mosque. The municipal government issued a notice prohibiting newspapers from […]
(PPF/IFEX) – On 10 July 2003, the municipal government of Quetta, the capital of Balochistan province, imposed a number of restrictions on the media in light of ethnic and sectarian tensions caused by a recent bomb explosion that killed dozens of people at a Shiite mosque.
The municipal government issued a notice prohibiting newspapers from publishing news, articles, statements, photographs, editorials and cartoons that could “fan ethnic and sectarian tensions.” The notice asked editors, printers and publishers to submit all such material to the public relations director for scrutiny before publication. Owners of photocopiers were also warned that they should not make copies of such material.
The restrictions include prohibitions on processions, the use of loudspeakers and assemblies of more than four people. Also banned are grafitti that might cause ethnic or sectarian hatred and the display of handbills and posters carrying “objectionable” messages.
