Pakistan has issued new guidelines for foreign journalists and mediapersons in the country for news coverage.
Based on the new rules issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, all foreign media personnel will be required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage.
Over the past week, several local and international civil society organisations have called on Islamabad to end the escalating restrictions, including the crackdown on press freedom and internet blackouts in PoK.
(AFP/Representational)These new rules come amid widespread protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which have garnered global headlines.
The guidelines also call on journalists associated with foreign media to register online with the EP wing, followed by QR-based PVC accreditation cards being issued by the Pakistani government.
Pakistan has issued new guidelines for foreign journalists and mediapersons in the country for news coverage. Based on the new rules issued by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, all foreign media personnel will be required to obtain a No Objection Certificate (NOC) before travelling outside Islamabad, Lahore and Karachi for news coverage. Over the past week, several local and international civil society organisations have called on Islamabad to end the escalating restrictions, including the crackdown on press freedom and internet blackouts in PoK. (AFP/Representational)
These new rules come amid widespread protests in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, which have garnered global headlines.
As per Pakistani daily Dawn, all foreign journalists and media professionals registered with the ministry's External Publicity (EP) Wing will be required to secure a mandatory NOC before travelling to any other city to produce news reports, documentaries, films, videos or social media content for official purposes.
The guidelines also call on journalists associated with foreign media to register online with the EP wing, followed by QR-based PVC accreditation cards being issued by the Pakistani government.
