Case Update Status

No further action taken till date. Supereme court issued instructions.

Summary of Case

On January 20, 2024, the Supreme Court issued new instructions to reporters regarding their entry into the courtroom. The key point emphasized in these instructions was that only one reporter per organization would be permitted to enter the court premises. The directive aimed to regulate and limit the number of reporters representing each media outlet during court proceedings. This decision suggests an effort to manage the courtroom environment more efficiently, possibly in response to concerns about overcrowding or disruptions. The implementation of these guidelines reflects the Supreme Court's commitment to maintaining order and decorum within the courtroom while ensuring media coverage remains balanced and controlled. On January 24, Daily Nawai-Waqt correspondent Shahid Ajmal, while speaking to PPF, shed light on the reasons behind the Supreme Court's recent instructions to reporters entering the courtroom. Ajmal revealed that the court issued these instructions in response to a growing concern about reporters and YouTubers attending court proceedings for entertainment and video-making purposes. According to Ajmal, the details of the decision were explicitly outlined in a letter issued by the Supreme Court. This insight provides context to the court's move, suggesting a desire to maintain the seriousness and sanctity of court proceedings by discouraging activities that may compromise the dignity of the courtroom environment. On January 27, 2024, reporters staged a protest in response to the instructions issued by the Supreme Court regarding entry into the courtroom. The protest reflects the discontent among the reporter community with the new regulations, suggesting that they may perceive these instructions as restrictive or impeding their ability to cover court proceedings effectively. The reasons behind the protest are not specified, but it highlights a possible disagreement or concern among reporters about the implications and practicalities of the Supreme Court's directive.

Category of Incident

Censorship

ICCS Status

ICCS Divisions: 0803-Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Group:

ICCS Class: 08039-Other acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

ICCS Crime: Acts related to freedom of expression or control of expression

Reported By

PPF Safety Monitors WhatsApp Group

Date of incident

20

Month

January

Year

2024

Name of affected person

Supreme Court reporters

Other affected persons

Supreme Court reporters

Name of affected organization

All media organizations

Other affected organizations

All media organizations

Action by

Supreme Court

City

Islamabad

Province

Capital Territory

Designation

N/A

Professional category

N/A

Age of victim

N/A

Marital Status

Compensation Details

Amount of compensation announced by government: No compensation was announced

Date of compensation announcement by government:

Date of compensation paid by government:

Amount of compensation announced by others:

Date of compensation announced by others:

Date compensation paid by others:

FIR Details

Was FIR registered ?: No

Court Details

Was case investigated ?: N/A

Court where case was presented:

Name of prosecuting lawyer:

Date of first court hearing:

Date of last court hearing:

Status of court case:

Journalist Union Status

PFUJ

No version was recorded

APNS

CPNE

PBA

Media Source Status

Media reports:

Condemn Status

Colleague of victim

No version was recorded

Employer organization

No version was recorded

Press Club Status

Press club 1: No version was recorded

Press club 2:

Press club 3: