SAARC MEDIA

Communication information and SAARC

Communication:

This issue was raised in 1997, 9^th summit

The first meeting of the communication ministers of SAARC held in Colombo in 1998 and prepare a plan of action as :

To reduce the rate of telephone in member countries,

To develop the mechanism of telephone among the member state,

To issue the telephone card,

Liberal policy in communication sector,

Expand telephone service in the rural areas,

Human resource development in this sector.

Information:

The first meeting of the information minister was held in Dhaka in 1998 and focused in these areas:

Free flow of information in SAARC,

Free flow of books, newspapers and other publications,

To exchange the service of the news agency,

To conduct the regular meeting of journalist of SAARC country

To exchange the radio and TV program,

Regular training for the media person,

To establish the SAARC information center,

To establish the SAARC media development fund.

SAARC Professional Bodies

These bodies have been established in the non–government sectors and for people to people contact. These bodies have supported to develop the professional skills and to exchange their ideas in the concern fields.

These bodies are:

SAARC Apex Bodies:( the higher or the supreme bodies)

1- SAARC Chamber of Commerce and Industry

2- SAARC Law

3- South Asian Federation of Accountants

SAARC Regional Bodies

a- South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation of Architects.

b- Association of Management Development Institutions.

c- SAARC Federation of University Women.

d- SAARC Association of Town Planners.

e- SAARC Cardiac society.

f- SAARC Diploma Engineers Forum.

g- SAARC Teachers’ Federation.

h- Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literatures.

i- Federation of state Insurance Organizations of SAARC.

j- Radiological Society of SAARC Countries.

k- SAARC Surgical Care Society.

l- South Asian Free Media Association.(SAFMA).

m- The Association of SAARC Speakers and Parliamentarians.

SAFMA (South Asian Free Media Association).

Established in Islamabad in 2003 by the south Asian journalist to coordinate them and to work as a pressure group for press freedom in the region.

Recognized as a SAARC body in 2004,

Some conferences of the print media journalist of this region have been conducted after the establishment of this organization are:

Dhaka 2003

Delhi 2004

Male 2oo5

Delhi 2007.

These conferences were initiated by the host countries and not organized by SAFMA.

SAARC and UNICEF

Agreement to work together was signed in 1993,

UNICEF is working with the SAARC to implement the SAARC decision on children,

ROSA, Regional Office of the South Asia, is a regional body of UNICEF is working with SAARC in the concern field. It organized the ministerial meeting in child related issues.

New Delhi 1986

Colombo 1992

Rawalpindi 1996

These meetings focused in nutrition, violence against children, polio eradication and other child related issues.

Social Charter

This issue was raised to focus and promote the social agendas of SAARC, During the 10^th summit, 1998 in Colombo.

Poverty eradication

Population stabilization

Empowerment of women

Youth mobilization

Human resources development

Promotion of health and nutrition

Protection of children

These agendas are included in the social agendas of SAARC and every summit should address this charter while programming and funding in these field.

SAVE (SAARC Audio visual Exchange) program.

This is a radio and television program and produce in every member country by the state owned radio and TV. The program was started by the decision of council of minister in 1987. It is broadcasting by the state owned radio and TV every month. The objective of this program is to exchange and disseminate the information among the SAARC countries.

Youth, education, environment, disability, safe and clean drinking water, mountain and hills, participatory governance, empowerment of women, tourism etc are the program areas of SAVE.

Achievements and challenges of SAARC

Achievements

1) Effective platform to promote people to people contact.

2) Positive impact in foreign policy.

3) Common efforts for regional development.

4) Collective concept to address the regional problem.

5) Significant position in international forum.

6) Mutual cooperation in various sectors.

7) Platform for bilateral understanding.

Challenges

1) No implementation as its commitment.

2) Bilateral debates among the member states.

3) Lack of resources to address the high expectation of the people.

4) Political instability almost in all member states.

5) Inefficient bureaucracy.

SAARC Regional Centers

1) SAARC Agricultural Information Center, SAIC

Established in 1988, Dhaka, as a first regional center of SAARC.

Objective is to exchange the technical information about agriculture in the region and to conduct the research in this field.

Fisheries, forestry, live stock and crops, data bases on fish disease and potato cultivation are the working areas of this center.

2) SAARC Tuberculosis Center (STC)

Established in 1992, Kathmandu for prevention and control tuberculosis in region. It coordinates to supply medicine of TB at low cost in SAARC countries. It works a lot in mitigate TB and introduced the DOTS treatment system in the SAARC region.

Collects information, analyze the latest treatment system, exchange and disseminate the TB control program.

3) SAARC Meteorological Research Center (SMRC)

Established in 1995, Dhaka

To conduct the research in weather forecasting, climate information and develop the network among member states in this field.

4) SAARC Human Resource Development Center.

Established in 1999, Islamabad.

Focuses its activities in the human resource development and disseminate the information in the related field.

5) SAARC Documentation Center (SDC)

Established in 1994, New Delhi.

It focuses its activities on development, engineering, chemicals, physical and biological, science and technology.

It conducts the training course on library science and documentation.

6) SAARC Information Center (SIC)

Established in 2004, Kathmandu.

To collect and disseminate various informations about SAARC and other South Asian countries.

SAARC MEDIA PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS

THE EVOLUTION OF SAARC

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation SAARC is a result of the concept of regional organization developed throughout the world. After the Second World War UN was established as a world body. Except this body various country of the world were organized in the shape of regional organizations. Especially after1960s they were organized for their common interests and benefits those have had the economic, geographical, cultural and other commonalities. Some of these organizations are :

ASEAN – Association of South East Asean Nations.

ECAFE – Economic Council For Africa and Far East

ARAB LEAGUE

AFRICAN UNION

EEC – European Economic Community(now it is known as EU)

BENELUX – Belgium, Natherland and Luxumberg.

After the establishment of such organizations south asean leaders also interested to give the shape of the organization representing this region as SAARC.

Zia Ur Rehman, president of Bangladesh, is the main designer of the SAARC.

In 1981 April – colombo meeting was held in colombo, participated the foreign secretaries of the five south asian nation .

In 1981 November – Maldives and Bhutan joined it .

Foreign ministers of the seven countries adopted the declaration of SAARC in August 1983 . After that formally Launched the program IPA (Integrated Program of Action) in 5 areas :

Agriculture

Rural development

Telecom

Meteorology

Helth and population .

From 1981 to 1985 14 meetings were held prior to establish the SAARC formally. Finally SAARC was established in 1985 dec 8 , during the first summit in Dhaka (7–8 dec. 1985.)

The founder signatories of the SAARC :

Bangladesh President Hussein Mohammad Ershad

Bhutan King Jigme Singhe Wangchuk

India PM Rajeev Gandhi

Makdives Presidend Maumoon Abdul Gayoom

Nepal King Birendra

Pakistan President Zia Ul Haq

Srilanka President Julius R Jayawardane

SAARC CHARTER ( It comprises ten article )

Preamble

Respect to UN Charter and NAM principle

Interdependncy of nations for mutual benefits

Common problem, interests, cultural traditions and politial and economic system of South Asian people.

Need of regional cooperation to uplift life stander of the S A people

Cooperation in economic social and technical sectors for mutual benefit

Growing cooperation, contact and visits among the nations will enhance friendship and understanding among the member states.

Article I

OBJECTIVES

a) To promote the welfare of the peoples of SOUTH ASIA and to improve their quality of life

b) To accelerate economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region andto provide all individuals the opportunity to live in dignity and to realise their full potentials;

c) To promote and strengthen collective self-reliance among the countries of SOUTH ASIA;

d) To contribute to mutual trust, understanding and appreciation of one another's problems;

e) To promote active collaboration and mutual assistance in the economic, social, cultural,

technical and scientific fields;

f) To strengthen cooperation with other developing countries;

g) To strengthen cooperation among themselves in international forums on matters of

common interests; and

h) To cooperate with international and regional organisations with similar aims and purposes.

Article II

PRINCIPLES

1.Cooperation within the framework of the ASSOCIATION shall be based on respect for theprinciples of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, non -interferencein the internal affairs of other States and mutual benefit.

2. Such cooperation shall not be a substitute for bilateral and multilateral cooperation but

shall complement them.

3. Such cooperation shall not be inconsistent with bilateral and multilateral obligations.

Article III

MEETINGS OF THE HEADS OF STATE OR GOVERNMENT ( SUMMIT)

The Heads of State or Government shall meet once a year or more often as and when

considered necessary by the Member States. It is the highest authority of SAARC and the host of the meeting is organized according to the alphabetical order of member nations. 15 summits are held till now.

Article IV

COUNCIL OF MINISTERS

It is the main decision maker body of the SAARC and it has the following functions:

a) Formulation of the policies

b) Review of the progress

c) Decision on new areas

d) Establishment of additional mechanism

e) Decision on other matters of general interest

The Council of Ministers shall meet twice a year. Extraordinary session of the Council may be held by agreement among the Member States.

Article V

STANDING COMMITTEE

The Standing Committee comprising the Foreign Secretaries and its functions are :

a) Overall monitoring and coordination

b) Approval of projects and programmes, and the modalities of their financing

c) Determination of inter-sectoral priorities

d) Mobilisation of regional and external resources

e) Identification of new areas of cooperation based on appropriate studies.

The Standing Committee shall meet as often as deemed necessary it submits periodic reports to the Council of Ministers.

Article VI

TECHNICAL COMMITTEES

It comprises the experts of the respective areas. Functions :

Phisibility study

Formulation of programmes and preparation of projects

Determination of financial implications of sectoral programmes

Formulation of recommendations regarding apportionment of costs

Monitoring of progress in implementation.

The Technical Committees shall submit periodic reports to the Standing Committee.

The Chairmanship of the Technical Committees shall normally rotate among Member States inalphabetical order every two years.

Article VII

ACTION COMMITTEES (WORKING COMMITTEES)

The Standing Committee may set up Action Committees comprising Member States

concerned with implementation of projects involving more than two but not all Member

States.

Article VIII

SECRETARIAT

There shall be a Secretariat of the ASSOCIATION. This secretariate is in KTM. The Secretary General of SAARC is nominated in the alphabetical order.

First Abul Ahasan, Bangladesh

Second Kanta Kishor Bhargav , India

Third Ibrahim Hussein Jaki , Maldives

Fourth Yadav Kanta Silwal, Nepal

Fifth Naeemuddin Hassan , Pakistan

Sixth Nihal Rodrigo , Sri Lanka

Seventh QAMA Rahim , Bangladesh

Eighth Chenkyab Dorjee , Bhutan

Ninth Shilkanta Sharma , India

Article IX

FINANCIAL ARRANGEMENTS

The contribution of each Member State towards financing of the activities of the

ASSOCIATION shall be voluntary. Each Technical Committee shall make recommendations for the apportionment of costs of implementing the programmes proposed by it.In case sufficient financial resources cannot be mobilised within the region for fundingactivities of the ASSOCIATION, external financing from appropriate sources may be mobilised with the approval of or by the Standing Committee. The voluntary financial contribution for each country is as follows

Afghanistan 5 %

Bangladesh 10.75 %

Bhutan 5 %

India 30.50 %

Maldives 5 %

Nepal 10.75 %

Pakistan 22.52 %

Sri Lanka 10.72 %

Article X

GENERAL PROVISIONS

1.Decisions at all levels shall be taken on the basis of unanimity.

2. Bilateral and contentious issues shall be excluded from the deliberations.

SAARC media history

BANGLADESH

Media History – 3 phases a) Under British Rule b) East Pakistan Era c) After Independence

a)Under British Rule (1780 – 1947) Calcutta , then capital city of India was the center of social ,cultural and intellectual activities of whole India.- Bangbhumi was an influence area of Calcutta-J. A. Hicky published first newspaper Bengal Gazette (English weekly) in 1780 from Calcutta- it was the first newspaper in Indian sub- continent

- Bengali monthly magazine for youth DigDarshan published in 1818

- Weekly Samachar Darpan and Friend of India (1819), Rangpur barta (1847),

- Amrit Bazar Barta (1868), English biweekly Bengal times from Dhaks (1871)

Other publications- Rangpur Dikprakashan, Kabita Kushumabali, Dhaka Prakash, Bangabandhu, Gramdoot, Balarangika,Hitasandhani, Barishal Barta, Hindu Rangika etc.

- more than 65 publications from 1900 to 1947 from Dhaka, Barishal, Rajshahi, Rangpur etc. as a part of revolution and socio- cultural reform.

a) East Pakistan Era (1947 – 1971)

About 40 publications- major dailies were Azad, Morning News,Purbo Pakistan, Pakistan Observer, Ittefaq, Paigam, Dainik Bangla, Purbo Desh, Sangbad, Evening Post, Banglar Bani, Dainik Kisan, etc.

others- Zindagi, The people, Azadi, Nabajat,The People’s View, Bichitra, Amod, the Eastern Examiner etc.

Media played a vital role for the cause of Bengali language, culture and an independent nation.

c)After Independence ( 1947 on wards)

After independence from Pakistani rule, media came forward very actively. According to UNESCO , . leading dailies - Ittefaq, Bhorer Kagoj, Janakantha, Sangbad, Inquilab, Dainik Bangla, Ajker kagoj, Amar Desh, Juganter, The Observer, Daily Star, The Independent, New Nation, Dhaka Courier, The Holiday, Jai Jai Din, Blitz etc.

- newspapers are highly politicized

- almost every political parties are publishing or backing the newspapers

- the days were very hard for press under President Hussain Md. Ershad ‘s rule

RADIO (Bangladesh Betar)

Radio broadcast from 1939- first radio station in Dhaka as an extention of Calcutta station. Capacity – 5kw, coverage area –64km (only 8% of the land)

In East Pakistan era 100kw medium wave and 1000kw short wave transmitters installed in Dhaka. – relaying stations were in Chittagong, Rajshahi, Sylhet, Rangpur and khulana by 1971

- except national news and commentaries from Karachi, Dhaka Radio network functioned independently

- in 1971 during the war of liberation radio stations were destroyed.

-After independence, Bangaladesh opened first earth satellite station at Betbunia in 1975.

- Now 12 stations- Dhaka, Chittagong, Barisal,Bogra, Comilla, Cox bazaar, Khulna, Rajshahi, Rangmati, Rangpur, Sylhet, Thakur gaon.

- On air Language- Bengali, Arabi, Urdu, English, Hindi, Nepali

FM Radio- Metro Wave, Radio ABC, Radio Amar, Radio Foorti, Radio Today, Traffic Info. Broadcasting

- Now radio in Bangladesh is being regulated by 27 points official guidelines of National Broadcasting Authority, promulgated in 1986.

- Major problems- highly politicized , technological backwardness, dearth of advertisements and lack of private investment.

Bangladesh TV ( BTV)

- TV broadcast commenced in 1964 from Dhaka through 3kw transmitter during East Pakistan era

- Nippon Electric co. of Japan had great contribution in development of tv media in Bangladesh

- Nippon installed satellite station in Chittgong and relay stations in Khunla and Rajshahi before independence. Nippon is one of the major supporter of BTV.

- After independence BTV installed a tv station in Rampura in 1974, one of the largest tv station in South Asia.

- BTV 17 stations, 79 % program local production, 21% imported, more than 77% broadcast in Bengali, entertainment-55%, news- 15%, religious, social ,economic etc- 30%

- CTV ( Chittgong TV , BTV’s second channel), BTV world, Private Channels- ATN Bangla, Bangla Vision, Channel-1, Diganta, Equishey TV, Islamic TV, NTV, RTV, Boishaki TV, North Star Music TV, Desh TV

- All TVs have to follow the 27 points guidelines of National Broadcasting Authority

NEWS AGENCIES

1)Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS) – estd.1972 a state run news agency

2) United News of Bangladesh (UNB) 1988 private

3) Bangladesh News Agency (BNA) 1993 private

4) News Agency of Bangladesh (NAB)private

*****

BHUTAN

- Bhutan was following policy of isolation.

- After Chinese occupation in Tibet in 1959, Bhutan established long term relation with India .Then after process of modernization began.

- KUENSEL ( clarity) the state run newspaper of Bhutan

- the only newspaper for about 45 years

- Hand written Nepali monthly Kuensel published from Thimpu in 1960

- First editor Bhim Kumar Rai and Suk Man Rai

- Published as a government gazette from 1964 in Nepali and English

- monthly, fortnightly , weekly (from 1986)

- At the beginning it was printed at Kalingpong

- A press machine was brought to Thimpu from Calcutta

- from 1974 Kuensel is being printed from Thimpu in Dzongkha language too

- At the beginning it was published only in Nepali language

- Kuensel corporation established in 1992

- 7 member board, headed by Secretary to Ministry of Communication

- An editor – in – chief and 3 separate language editors

- Combine circulation (English, Dzongkha and Nepali) 20,000

- From 1996 Kuensel improved the quality of printing with the assistance of DANIDA

- First color edition of Kuensel – 1999 July

PRIVATE PUBLICATIONS

- In 1979 Druklosel quaterly was published from private sector initiative

- Editor was Gaurishankar Adhikari

- one article titled ' Nepali kasari Bhutan puge" published in 1982

- then Druksel banned for ever

- The Bhutan Times – 2006- private weekly from Thimpu in English

- Bhutan Observer – 2006- private weekly from Phuentsholing in English &Dzon.

BHUTANESE PUBLICATIONS FROM FOREIGN LAND

- 1971/72 ‘ Amar Bhutan’ monthly, published by the Bhutanese students studying

at Banaras , Editor- Hari Pd. Adhikary

- I t was not in against of the Bhutanese government but they were called to Thimphu and forced to make written commitment for not to do so again

- All copies of Amar Bhutan were burnt

- New situation after 1990, democratic movement started

- Paper publication was a medium for the democratic movement

- In 1990 ‘Mukti ‘ monthly published by Bhutanese Peoples Party, editor – Jagir Man Lama, only 4 issues published

- 1991 Bhutan Focus by Bhutanese students organization

- 1993 Human Rights Organization of Bhutan published monthly Bhutan Review

- 1993 Nav Sandesh by students studying in Banaras

- 1994 Bhutani Kopila , yearly journal of Nepali Bhasa Parishad Bhutan

- 1995 The Refugee Post (Engish) by AHURA Bhutan

- 1996 Bhutan Observer by Bhutan Human Right Forum

- 1996 The Struggle monthly

- 1998 Sanatan Sandes

- 1998 Bhutan To-day by Druk National Congress

- 1999 Bhutan Times by Bhutan National Liberation Front

- 1999 Nari Mukti Sandesh by Bhutanese Women’s Forum

- 1999 Bhutan Jagaran fortnightly by Nepali Bhasa Parishad Bhutan

- 1999 Saptahik Sandesh by AHURA

- 2000 Dragon Times by Bhutan Youth Org.

- 2000 The Sangrila monthly by Raj Kamal group

- 2002 Naulo Awaj by Bhutan Jana Sanskritik Manch

-from 1990 to 2008 = about 25 Bhutani publications from foreign land in Nepali and English languages

Main objectives of these publications-

- to support democratic movement

- to attract international communities and foreign donors on Bhutanese situation

- to inform and educate the new generation of Bhutan who are in foreign land now

RADIO

- started in 1973 by National Youth Association of Bhutan (NYAB)

- an initiative taken by the members of royal family

- Radio NYAB one hour weekly program on Sun days

- specially English news and various musical programs

- coverage limited only in Thimphu

- Ministry of Comm. took over the station in 1979 and named as Bhutan Radio

- 3 hrs program thrice a week in 4 languages

- 1n 1986 UNESCO provided 10 kw short wave transmitter

- renamed as Bhutan Broadcasting Service (BBS)

- 1991 India provided 50kw SW transmitter

- 15 hrs. daily prog. from 2004

- Program in 4 languages – Dzongkha, English, Nepali (lotsamkha) and Sharchop

- From 1990 two FM under BBS management by UNESCO support

- International news from BBC, All India Radio and Radio Nepal

- radio covers 75 % of the country, plan to cover rest 25% by 2010

- 3 private FM from 2006 – Kuzoo, Radio Valley and Youth FM

TELEVISION

- In 1989 king banned all private satellites and channel distributors

- 28 private dishes dismantled

- In 1998 the king who is also a football fan, permitted to installed a large screen at sports ground in Thimphu to live cast the world cup football tournament held in France

- Started domestic TV only in 1999 June 2^nd on the occasion of silver jubilee of coronation of the king

- Purpose of TV is mainly education

- at beginning 7 pm to 9pm broadcast in Dzongkha and English

- now 6 to 11pm daily program, next morning 7 am to 12 recasting the same

- from 2004 satellite transmission, coverage Bhutan + 40 countries

- no private tv

- no permission for foreign tv channels in order to protect cultural values

- Complicated geographical condition, conservative political system, small population etc. are major problems of Bhutanese media.

NO NEWS AGENCY IN BHUTAN TILL 2009 June

*****

INDIA

Under British Rule

- Bengal Gazette ( English weekly) published by James Augustus Hicky in 1780 Jan 29^th from Calcutta

- It was the first news paper in South Asian sub- continent

- Bengal Gazette alias ‘Hicky Gazette’, ‘ Calcutta General Advertiser’

- Declaration ‘ a weekly political and commercial paper open to all but influenced by none’

- Hicky had his own column, many persons wrote by pen names

- Bengal Gazette could not survived more than two years due to sharp confrontation with Governer General Warren Hastings and Chief Justice Elijah Impey

- Indian Gazette as a rival to Bengal Gazette, published in the same year (1780) by Peter Reed, a salt agent (backing by Hastings)

- After Bengal Gazette, other publications from India were- Madras Courier weekly(1785), Bombay Herald weekly (1789) merged into Bombay Gazette in 1791, Hurukaru weekly (1793), Calcutta Chronicle (1818), Bengal Journal,Indian world, Bengal Harkarer etc.

- In the early period newspapers in India were run by Britishers

RUDYARD KIPLING-

A renowned man of the pen – born in Bombay – his father, a British citizen was a government officer in India – Rudyard joined Civil and Military Gazette (Lahore) in 1872 at the age of 17- worked for five years in Gazette- then moved to the Pioneer- his writtings specially monologue and fictions were very impressive- ‘ writing and every thing associated with, is a glorious fun’, ‘ I love both the fun and riot of writing’- after suffering from malaria he was compelled to left India and went ti England in1890- he served about 7 years in India as a journalist- he is still remembered as a creative journalist in the history of Indian journalism- reflections of his Indian experience can be seen in his several writings.

Indian’s involvement in publication

- Raja Ram Mohan Roy,( 1772- 1833) the pioneer Indian journalist and social reformer

- By his inspiration Gangadhar Bhattacharjee published Bengal Gazette (1816), the first Indian owned English daily newspaper, but could not survive long

- Raja’s own publications- Sambad Kaumudi (Bengali1821), Mirut ul Akhbar (Persian1822) and Brahminical Magazine (English1822)

- Press Regulation –1823 imposed by British govt. in India to control newspapers.

- The regulation was used as a tool to deport James Silk Buckingham, Editor of Calcutta Chronicle.

- Raja presented a petition to Supreme Court to protest the regulation in favour of J.S. Buckingham.

- It was his bold step for the preservation of press freedom, however he defeated the case.

- Anti reformists Hindu fundamentalists published Samachar Chandrika weekly to challenge Raja’s social reforms.

- Raja passed away in 1833

- 1857 Mutiny ( the first war of Indian independence) was a turning point to Indian journalism.

- In the issue of mutiny, British owned press and Indian owned press blamed each othe in the lowest level.

- British owned press acted like blood mongers of Indians.

- This event worked as a fuel to Indian owned press against the British rule in India.

- Pioneers Indian journalists on those days- Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Gangadhar Bhattacharjee, Bhawani Charan Bannerjee, Dwarkanath Tagore, Girish Chandra Ghose, Harischandra Mukharjee, Ishworchandra Vidyasagar, Kristo Pal, Manmohan Ghose, Keshub Chander Sen etc.

- Other major publications by Indians- The Reformer, Enquirer, Gyan Auneshun, Bengal Herald, Bang Doot, Hindu Patriot, Indian Mirror, Sulab Samachar etc.

After Mutiny

- Standard, The Bombay Times and Telegraph merged into Times of india in 1861, Robert Knight was the owner , he was also owner of Statesman daily (1875) from Calcutta, Indian Economist monthly and Agriculture Gazette of India, his editorials and writings were balance and impressive.

- Other major publications- Indu Prakash weekly, Gyan Prakash, Lokhitavadi (all 1861), Amrit Bazar Patrika (1868 Cacutta), Pioneer (1872 Allahbad), The Hindu (1878 Chennai) , Keshari (marathi) and The Maratha (English) (both in1878 from Pune by veteran freedom fighter Balgangadhar Tilak)

- Pioneer Indian Journalists- Bal Gangadhar Tilak, Mahadev Govinda Ranade, Dadabhoi Naoroji, Gopal Rao Hari Deshmukh, Vishu Shastri Pandit, Karsondas Mulji, Bal Sashtri Jambhekar etc.

- British govt. enacted Vernacular Press Act-1878 to supress Indian language newspapers

- Indian National Congress (INC) founded in 1885

- It was led by many nationalists like Surendranath Banerjee, Balgangadhar Tilak, Dadabhoi Naoroji, Motilal Gosh, Bipin Chandra Pal, G.Subramania Aiyer etc. who were active journalists too.

- After establishment of ANC, Indian press became an important part of struggle for independence .

Leading Newspapers After Establishment of INC

-1900- Bangalee English Daily (ed)- Surendranath Banarjee

-1901- New India English Weekly (ew)- Bipinchandra Pal

- 1901- Bande Mataram – Bengalee weekly- Bipinchandra Pal

- 1906- Yugantar – Bengali daily- Barendra kumar Ghose

- 1909- Leader- ed-Madan Mohan Malviya

- 1913- New India –ed- Annie Besant

- 1913- Bombay Chronicle –ed- Phiroj Shah Mehata

- 1918 –Justice- ed- Dr.T.M.Nair (published by non- Brahmin movement inMadras)

- 1918 – Searchlight- English biweekly- Shachindranath Sinha

-1919- The Independent -ew– Pandit Motilal Neharu

- 1919- Young India – ew- Mahatma Gandhi

- 1920 – Nav Jeevan – Gujarati weeky- Mahatma Gandhi

- 1922- Swarajya- ed- T.Prakasham

- 1923- Forward- ed- Chittaranjan Das

- 1923- The Hindustan Times –ed- K.M. Panikar (first daily in Delhi)

- 1929- Liberty-ed- Subhas Chandra Bose

-1932- Harijan- Gujarati weekly- Mahatma Gandhi

- 1938- National Herald- Jawaharlal Neharu

- Viceroy Lord Curzon Vs. Indian press

- In 1907 series of arrests and prosecutions against the journalists and press

- India Press Act –1910 asked for heavey security deposite

- 963 publications and press were prosecuted under the act

- 173 new printing press and 129 newspapers were killed at their birth by the weapon of security deposite

- British govt.collected about 5 lakhs Indian Ruppes in the first year of the act inforcement

- During the First world war (1914-1918) Indian press were divided

- The act was forcefully executed against the press who were not in support of British side in the world war.

- In 1919 Jaliawala Bagh massacre was a big disaster to the Indian press.

- Even the Anglo- Indian press were not escaped .

The Golden Era of Indian Mission Journalism (1920 – 1947)

- declaration of non-cooperation movement against British rule in India.

- Press marched shoulder to shoulder with satyagrahis

- Mahatma Gandhi lauded for freedom of expression, ideas and people’s sentiments

- Gandhi would not accept adv. , he belived newspapers should survive on the revenue from subscribers

- He would not accept any restrictions on the paper, he rather close it down

- His writings were widely circulated and reproduced in the newspapers all over the country

- A big challege to non-Gandhian newspapers

- Gandhi declared ‘Salt Satyagraha’ in 1930

- The nationalist press played a memorable role, which perhaps is unique in the history of any freedom movement

- Press ordinance issued in 1930 to supress Indian press through heavy security deposites

- When second world war broke out , British rulers became more supressive to the Indian press

- In 1940 UP government directed the press to submit the headlines of the news to the secretary of the information department for his pre- approval

- In response to this, National Herald (newspaper run by Jawaharlal Neharu) published the news without headlines

- Second world war and freedom fight gave more fuel to Indian press

- Britishers charged them as ‘ pro Hitler’

- All India Newspaper Editors Conference held in 1940 at Delhi voiced against the supressive attitude of the British govt.

- Fresh supression and struggle started from 1942 when Quit India Movement initiated

- Many press, publications and journalists including Neharu suspended and arrested in1942

- It continued until the declaration of independence in1947 August

- K.Rama Rao, Editor, Swarajya “ It was more than a vocation, it was a mission and the newspaper was a noble enterprise working for patriotic purpose”.

1947 Onwards

^- India received independence from British rule on 1947 August 15^th

- The press celebrated the independence, because it was their victory too.

- At the beginning of independence the relation between the national govt. and press was good, but a year after situation was changed

- P. M. Neharu, Sardar Ballav Bhai Patel etc. were not happy with the press.

- Press Commission- 1952, report- 1954

- Recommendations – Press Council, press registrar, minimum basic salary for working journalists, strengthen the role of the editors

- The working journalist act-1955

- The newspaper (price and page) act- 1956

- Press Council established – 1965

- P .M. Mrs. Indira Gandhi declared state of emergency on 1975 June

- It was a shocking blow to the freedom of press

- Ignored the press freedom guaranteed by article 19 (1) in the constitution

- Heavy censorship during the emergency period under Defence Rule “ in order to maintain public order…”

- 1975 Dec 8^th ordinance banned the publication of all ‘ objectionable matter’, no permission to report parliament, close down Press Council , blaming it was failed to curb provocative writings

- During 19 months of emergency 253 journalists detained and 7 foreign correspondence expelled

- When Janata Dal came into power, all the restrictions over press were removed

- After emergency Indian press became more professional along with high tech., simultaneous publications increased, tremendeous change in the contents, more suppliments, booming of specialized magazines

- Press Council re- established under new act- 28 member, chaired by retired judge of high court

According to UNESCO

Top circulation – The Times of India – approx. 20 lakh copies / day

- The Indian Express – approx. 16 lakh copies / day

Total no. of all publications – approx. 40 thousand

Out of them dailies- 4,453 ( including 320 English dailies)

CENTANARIAN NEWSPAPERS OF INDIA

- The Times of India – 1861

- Amrit Bazar Patrika – 1868

- Pioneer - 1872

- The Statesman - 1875

- The Hindu - 1878

RADIO

- Amateur Radio Club started local broadcasting in 1924 at Madras

- Indian Broadcasting co.(private) 1927- Bombay and Calcutta

- Indian State Broadcasting Service – 1930

- Name changed as All India Radio (AIR) / Aakashbani

- Before independence AIR stations in Hyderabad, Baroda, Mysore, Trivandrum, Aurangabad, Delhi, Bombay, Calcutta, Madras, Lukhnow, Pesawar and Dhaka

- During second World War radio became more popular in India

- After independence AIR was a major tool to dissiminate govt. information

- AIR as an ‘ electronic ambassador’ in abroad

- Now AIR have more than 200 stations covering 90% of the land and 97% of the population

- News in 24 languages including Hindi, English and many other languages of India

- From 1997 broadcasting is being regulated by an autonomous corporation under Prasar Bharati Act

TELEVISION

- Door Darshan (DD) started as an experiment in 1959 from New Delhi, for educational purpose

- Regular broadcasting started from 1965 from New Delhi

- Indian Space Research Organization borrowed a satellite from NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) in 1975

- Community tv sets in 2,400 villages

- Colour broadcasting from 1982 on the eve of Asian Games held in New Delhi

- 40 different broadcasting centers

- covers 70% of land and 87% 0f population

- programs in about a dozen languages

- after 1995 many private channels

- all tv broadcasting regulated by Prasar Bharati Act

NEWS AGENCY

- Press Trust of India (PTI) 1947

- Hindustan Samachar 1948

- United News of India (UNI)- 1961

- Samachar Bharati –1965

Hindustan Samachar and Samachar Bharati produce news in various Indian languages while PTI and UNI in English

- Press Information Bureau (PBI), under Ministry of Information, provides government news and information in English, Hindi, Urdu and 13 regional languages.

MALDIVES

- country of 1200 islands, inhabited islands 200

- 640 km south west of Sri Lanka

-Per capita income more than 3,500 US $

- unemployment less than 1 %

- population 2,86,000

- literacy rate 96 %

- previously colonized by Portuguese, Dutch, French and lastly British

- independent in 1965

- till 12^th century followed Buddhism

- Arabian traders imposed Islam in 12^th century

- national language Divehi

- First newspaper – Al Islah weekly (1943)

- Early newspapers- Saru Kaaruge, Khabaru, Viyaafari, Miyadhu etc.

- Early magazines – Munnaru, Male Times, Moon Light etc.

After 1965

- Hafta weekly ( Divehi), Out Look (English weekly)

- Divehi monthly magazines- Aabaaru, Amaaz, Faiy Thoora, Spectrum (English )

- Dheenugu Mage published by Presidents’s office

- Faiy Thoora pub. by National Council of Linguistic

- Furudhana pub. by Ministry of Information

- Jamaathuge Khaburu pub.by Non-formal Education Center

dailies-

- Haveeru (1978) highest circulation 4500, Aafathis (1979) both in English and Divehi and Miadhu (1998) only in Divehi, other dailies – Hamma, Minivan, Jazeera

- weeklies – Adduvas, Fiyes, Huvaas, Manas, Monday Times, Divehi observer, Evening weekly, Kalhale, Kavaasa, Olhuala etc.

- Article 13 and 14 of the constitution guarantees the press freedom but about 30 clauses and laws limits the freedom.

- The press freedom is guarantee as long as the specific provisions of the Shariat are not contravened.

- In 1990 authorities arrested several journalists and writers foor criticising election system and the govt.- Sangu and Hukuru magazines closed down

- National Press Council estd. 1993 – for reviewing, monitoring and development of media

- Main problems – geographical condition, very small population (0.3 million), almost all people know each other in capital

- All most all print media published from Male

RADIO

- Voice of Maldives (VOM) 1962

- Govt. owned

- Most effective and popular media

- 3 radio stations ( 2 AM, 1 FM)

- 90 –95 % of population listen Radio

- 16 hrs/ day service in Divehi and English

- wall magazines by slow motion news of vom

- highly used for distance education

TELEVISION

- Television Maldives –1978

- Govt. owned

- about 70 % programs based on foreign production

NEWS AGENCIES

- Haveeru News Service (HNS) – 1979

- Himaya News Agency (HNA)

- Maldives News Bureau (MNB) under Ministry of Information

- No press freedom

- No journalism education or trainings

- Journalism as a hobby not a profession

- Highly influenced by foreign press, specially Indian and English

PAKISTAN

Pre- Independence

- Turning point for Indian muslims was establishment of All India Muslim League in 1906, for the promotion of muslim interest

- League inspired muslims for paper publications

- By 1925 muslim press comprised 220 various publications in Urdu, English, Bengali etc.

- In 1930 muslims began their struggle for a separate state

- Then they faced the hostility with both Hindu owned press and Anglo- Indian press .

- Mohammad Ali Jinnah helped to established Dawn English weekly in 1930 from Delhi, (Dawn became daily in 1942)

- Influencial muslim papers – Azad, Jung, Dawn,The Star of India, Morning News, Manshoor, Anjam, Nawa-e-Waqt, Eastern Times, Weekly Observer, Sindha Times, New Life, Khaiber Mail, Zamindar etc.

- Dawn shifted to Karachi from Delhi after its Delhi office attacked and burnt by anti separation groups in 1947 August .

- Jung and Anjam also shifted Karachi from Delhi

Post Independence (1947- 1958)

- Press was weak in Pakistani territory

- Only Lahore, Karachi and Dhaka were ahead

- After 1949 war between India and Pakistan on Kashmir issue, press freedom has been curtailed

- Pak.govt. believed completely free press could threaten the country’s security

- Public safety act-1949 and Security of Pakistan act-1952 were sufficient to supress the press freedom

- During the first seven years of independence Pak. Govt. banned 33 newspapers in Punjab alone

- Between 1947 to 1958 no. of periodicals- 1106, dailies- 103, weeklies and biweeklies- 379

- Circulation of dailies increased from 1, 25,000 (in1948) to more than 7 lakh (in 1958)

The Authoritarian Period (1958 – 1988)

- Field Marshal Ayub Khan came into power in 1958

- He imposed system of ‘press advice’, a power to dictate press what to publish and what not

- In 1960 decline of dailies from 103 to 74, weeklies and biweeklies from 379 to 260

- In 1959 govt. took over Lahore Progressive Paper ltd., the publisher of leading English daily Pakistan Times and leading Urdu daily Imroze

- In 1961 govt. took over APP

- In 1963 Ayub Khan imposed PPO (press and publication ordinance), ‘the blackest of the black laws’

- It gave obsolute power to govt. to supress the press and to prohibit reporting on a wide range of subjects

- Second Indo-Pak war in1965 led to declared Marshal Law and Defence of Pakistan, lasted for 20 yrs.

- After Ayub Khan, his successors Yahya Khan, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Zia-ul- Haq followed the same supressive attitude towards the press.

- Situation changed after sudden death of Zia ul Haq

- Care taker govt. lifted PPO and introduced RPPPO ( registration of printing press and publication ordinance) , comparatively liberal than PPO`

- 1n 1990 govt.of Benazir Bhutto ended govt. monopoly over import and distribution of newsprint paper

- Art.19 of the constitution of Pakistan provides the freedom of press, subject to a number of restrictions

- Should not against the glory of Islam, integrity, security or defence of Pakistan, friendly relation with foreign states, public order,decency or morality,related to contempt of court, defamation.

- Official secret act, Security of Pakistan act., Maintenance of public order act etc. are sufficient to punish any news organization or journalist

- In 1995 a Lahore based free lance journalist was arrested and charged for his reporting on child labour in Pakistani carpet industries.

- In 1995 June, under Maintenance of public order ordinance, license of 122 newspapers were cancelled, but nationwide strike of journalists forced the govt. to withdraw the decision

- In 1998 editor and several journalists of Urdu daily Pakistan were arrested for publishing negative aspects of Prophet Mohammad

- RPPPO is an ordinance yet

- According to RPPPO not more than 25% foreign ownership in print media, and pre- approval by the govt. is compulsory

- News paper employees (condition of service) act –1973

Out of more than 300 dailies , 6 major dailies who have more than 1 lakh circulation-

(according to UNESCO Report)

- Jung,.Nawa-e- Waqt, Pakistan,Khabarain,The News, Dawn etc.

- Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad are major cities for press.

- Govt. do not owned newspapers

RADIO

- After the partition, India and Pakistan divided the assests of All India Radio.

- Pakistan inherited AIR stations in Lahore, Pesawar and Dhaka

- In 1949 August, Radio Pakistan formally launched in Karachi

- Now stations in 22 places

- 100% coverage

- Broadcasting in 20 languages

- 48% entertainment, 13% religious, 11 % news and current affairs,28% socio-eco

- National news bulletin 18 times / day in Urdu and English

- Govt. controls over Radio Pakistan through Pakistan Broadcasting Corp. (1973)

- After 1995 private FM increased in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, allegation to Benazir Bhutto for giving license only to her close persons.

TELEVISION

- PTV launched in1964 November from Lahore

- Agrrement with Nippon Electric corp.

- Colour broadcast from 1976 Dec.

- 6 centers- Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad (2), Pesawar and Quetta

- High power broadcasting stations in 32 places

- PTV-2 from 1992

- PTV World from 1998

- PTV Middle East Channel from 1999

- PTV coverage 86% population and 38% territory

- Entertainment – 56%, News and Current aff. 16%, educational 10%, religious 8%, others 10%

- PTV broadcastes 54 % program in Urdu

- Shalimar tv network (STN)- 1989

- Approved by Benzir govt.

- 54% govt. share

- Shaheen Pay tv – 1996

- Approved by Benazir’s second govt.

- Private tv with foreign investment

- now about 50 tv channels of different capacity

- All tv channels are regulated by Pakistan Broadcasting Act-1973

NEWS AGENCIES

- Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) – 1948

( a part of Ministry of Information and Media Development)

- Pakistan Press International (PPI) – Private

- Many other small news organizations funded by political parties and groups.

SRI LANKA

- Colony of Portuguese , then Dutch and lastly British

- Liberated from British colony on 1948 Feb.4^th

- Dutch set- up first printing press in 1737 in Colombo

- British produced the first regular publication weekly Government Gazette in 1802

- Colombo Journal, English biweekly 1832

- A group of British merchants started other two bi weeklies – Observer and Commercial Advertiser in 1834

- Other early newspaper publications- Ceylon Chronicle, Ceylon Herald, Ceylon Times, Jaffna Freeman, Kandy Herald, Galle Telegraph, Ceylon Independence, Morning Leader etc.

- All of them were published by Englishmen in English Language

Sinhala Press

- First Sinhala newspaper Lankaloka weekly published from Galle city in 1860

- Other Lakmini Pahana, Lakrivikirana, Gnanartha Pradipaya (first daily 1866), Sarasavi, Sandaresa, Dipnapatha Pravurthi, Sinhala Jathiya, Sinhala Boudhaya, Dinamina, Lakmina, Silumina etc.

English press were pro western and pro Christian where as Sinhala press were pro- nationalist and pro Buddhism.

Tamil press

- Udaya Tharakai ( weekly 1841) served about 130 years

- Other Tamil newspapers- Usaithalu, Paliya Narsan, Elangai Pathukaralan, Alamat Lankapuri, Elekesari, Virakesari, Thinakaran etc.

Hindu press

- Illangai Nasen ( weekly 1877), Sivabhimani

Muslim press

- Muslim Nasen (weekly 1882), Islam Mithiran

SINCE INDEPENDENCE – 1948

- 5 major publication houses- Associated Newspapers of Ceylon ltd (ANCL) a govt. corp, private sector publication houses - Wijeya, Upali, Express and Independent

- more than 30 major newspapers by these 5 publications

Leading Sri Lankan Newspapers

- Sinhala language- Dinamina, Silumina, Lankadeepa, Divaina, Lokbima

- English language- Daily News, The Sunday Observer, Daily Mirror, The Island, Sunday Times

- Tamil language- Thinakaran, Thina khurah, Uthayan, Virkisari, Sudar Oli

- popular periodical magazines Tharunee, Navaliya and Sirikanta for women, Mihira, Wijeya and Bindu for children, Kreeda and Visura for sports, Sarasaviya for movie, Vidusara, Samatha, Sadhana, Sathara for education

- political weeklies – Podujana (supported by Sri Lankan Freedom party)

Siyarata ( supp.by United National party)

Haraya (supp. by Nava Samaj party)

Aththa ( supp. by Communist party)

Thinamarasu ( supp. by Eelam Peoples Democratic party)

- Article 10 and 14 of Sri Lankan constitution guarantees freedom of thought, conscience, religion, speech, expression and publications .

- Article 15 has provision of restrictions over the freedom

- Press was supressed during the emergency periods in 1971 to 1977, 1982 to 1983 and 1987 to 1989 .

- For a long time Sri Lankan press was under cross fire between the government and the Tamil rebels

RADIO

- First radio broadcasting in 1924 July by Department of Telegraph - Speech of the Governer

- Radio Ceylon established in 1949 ( govt. run)

- Radio Ceylon converted into Sri Lanka Broadcasting Corp. (SLBC) in 1967 Jan

- SLBC as a public corporation

- Service in three languages Sinhala 65%, Tamil 19% and English16%

- Other broadcasting institutions – Asian Broadcasting Com. (ABC), Maharaja B.C.

- more than 30 radio channels ( state run and private)

- first FM Lakhanda – 1996

- some major fm- Sirasa, Siyatha, Lok, Yes, Shakthi, Max, Shree etc.

TELEVISION

- first TV network Independent TV Network (ITN) – 1979 April from private sector

- ITN converted into state run broadcasting service in 1979 June

- name changed in 1982 as Sri Lanka Rupavahini Corp.(SLRC) under Sri Lanka Rupavahini Act – 1982

- govt. allowed private TV channels in 1992

- first private TV - Maharaja TV -1992

- about 28 tv channels ( terrestrial, satellite, pay)

- TV channels- ITN, Sri Lanka Rupavahini, Sirasa, TV Lanka, Derena, Max, Siyatha, Prime, Channel Eye, Wasantham TV, Hiru, The Buddhist TV, Lakvision, Channel C, Lanka Broadband Network (LBN), Dialog TV etc.

NEWS AGENCY

- Lanka Pubhat – 1978, a state run national news agency

AFGHANISTAN (new member of SAARC)

- Landlocked by 6 – pakistan, iran, tajikistan,turkmenistan, uzbekistan and china

- population 2 karod 70 lakh

- territory- 652,225 sq km ( about 4.5 times bigger than Nepal)

- literacy rate- 31.5 %

- language- pasto,dari, english, uzbek, turkmen,baluchi etc.

- Monarchial history from 1747 to 1973

- Independent from Britain in 1919 ( British in Afghanistan1838 – 1919)

- popular king Jahir Shah toppled by his brother Daud Shah in 1973

- declared republic in 1973

- Soviet army invasion from 1979 to 1989

- after Soviet army with drawl, mujahiddin came into power

- civil war by Taliban from 1994

- Taliban captured capital Kabul and 2/3 of the nation in 1996

- due to 2001 sept.11 attack in US by al-quida, Taliban kicked out from power

- US backed interim govt. headed by Hamid karjai in 2002

- General election in 2004- Karjai elected president

- Liberal period 1963 – 1973 ( active period of king Jahir Shah)

- Most conservative period 1996 – 2001 ( Talibani period)

PRINT MEDIA

- first afghan news paper Saraj – al- Akhbar – 1911

- a state newspaper in dari language, not in regular intervals

- regular state newspapers – Anis 1927 in dari, Hawad 1959 in pashto and Kabul Times 1970 in English

- all twice a week

- highest circulation Hawad ( 6000 copies / issue)

- 14 publications by 1973

- during republican and talibani period most of the newspapers closed down

- non- state publications – kabul weekly 1992, Payam –e-Mujahiddin 1996, Shariat, Malalai, Afghan daily, Bassirat, Daily Outlook, Kabul Express, My Afghan, Tol Afghan etc

- recently about 180 media publications in various languages from different places

Afghan publication from foreign land ( media in exiled)

- Pesawar of Pakistan is the main center for Afghan media publication in exiled

- Pesawar is the main shelter for Afghan refugees since 1978

- NGO/INGO are more active for such publications

- major publications- Sahar,Wahdat,Heela,Watan,Azad, Afghan, Sab, Zan Afghan etc.

RADIO

RTA = Radio TV Afghanistan, a government regulatory body for all broadcast media

- Radio Kabul 1927 – state run

- Radio Kabul changed into Radio Afghanistan

- 12 hrs service / day

- 17 provincial stations

- main service in pashtu,dari,english

- Azadi Radio from non-state sector

- many community and FM radio services run by ngos and local influential groups

- Talibans didnot banned radio but stopped entertainment programs

- changed the name from Radio Afghanistan to Shariat Ghagh ( voice of sharia)

- they run 10 hrs daily service only for religious programs and official information

- they dismissed all the female staff from radio stations

Zakia Zaki

- Mrs. Zakia Zaki, age 35, a journalist in Radio Peace, also a school teacher, killed by unidentified gunmen at her home in front of her kids, they poured 7 bullets to her,

- she was against of the Muslim fundamentalism which was inforced by Taliban, Mujahiddin and other hardliner Muslim groups

- she was killed in 2004, that means after downfall of Taliban and beginning of peace process

- Zakia Zaki is regarded as a symbol of gruesome violence and threat against the press freedom as well as the female liberty in Afghanistan.

TELEVISION

- state run Afghanistan National TV ( ANTV)- 1978

- Taliban locked up ANTV station

- they ordered not to have tv sets in any one's home

- if so, punishment of flogging and 6 month prison

- in non Talibani area (Faizabad) northern alliance ran Badakhashan tv

- after downfall of Taliban tv broadcast restarted from 2002

- about one dozen tv channels (state run and private) being operated

- ANTV, Ariana tv(1989), Ayna tv, Lemar tv, Tolo tv, Noor, Shamshad, Saba, Tamadan, Payam- e- Afghan, Ujala etc.

NEWS AGENCY

- Bakhtar News agency, state run

- most influential and reliable source of news

- service in dari, pastu and english

- good network through out the country

- non- state news agencies- Kabul Press, Pajhwak and Afghan Islamic Press

- New media law introduced in 2007 march

- Provision of HMC ( High Media Council) and MAC ( Media Affairs Commission)

Major Challenges for Press Freedom and Media Development in South Asia

1) Lack of political freedom and democratic norms

2) Political instability

3) Religious domination

4) Low educational status

5) Social discriminations

6) Economic constraints

7) Geographical complications

8) Technological backwardness

9) Weakness in policy implementation

10)Lack of professionalism

11) Growing violence against media and media persons

PRESS FREEDOM SITUATION IN ASIA

- Freedom House, based in New York

- a press freedom institution recognized by the UN

- evaluates press freedom situation all over the world since 1979 in five year interval

- evaluation based on Universal Declaration of Human Rights Art.19

- 5 major criteria for evaluation press freedom in each country:

a) legal provisions

b)government ownership in media

c)political domination

d)economic pressure on news

e)violence against media and media professionals

- three stander of press freedom : Free, Partly Free and Not Free

- according to 2005 report 17% global population are in free media society, 38% in partly free society and 45% are in not free media society

- In Asian continent:

· Free- Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, Mauritius

· Partly Free – India, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Mongolia

· Not Free – China, Russia, former soviet states, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Maldives, Afghanistan, Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei, Singapore, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Arabian nations .

According to International Press Institute (IPI) based in Vienna –

- From the beginning of the new millennium (2001 – 2008) total 575 media persons have been killed

- highest number of the victims – 100 in 2006, lowest 54 in 2002

- According to IPI Report, total 66 media persons were killed around the world in 2008

- Highest killing - Iraq - 14

Second - Pakistan- 6

Third - India, Philippines and Mexico - 5 each

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