KARACHI, Jan 8: The Pakistan Broadcasters Association adopted in its board meeting on Monday a `media protection policy` that could lead to `collective boycott and collective legal action` against `illegal` shutdown of news channels for not following `advice of political parties and pressure groups`.

`In the past channels have been shut down using force and coercion because media had not followed `advice` of political parties and pressure groups,` said a PBA statement issued after the meeting that agreed to adopt the policy `with immediate effect` `Now no channel can be shut without repercussion of collective exposure, collective boycott and collective legalaction. The PBA is united for people`s right to know.

It said that during the past decade, purely due to initiative of private sector, Pakistan`s electronic media industry had developed into an industry employing, directly and indirectly, hundreds of thousands of people all over the country. The strength, independence and courage of Pakistan`s electronic media had gained recognition across the world, it said.

`Since the 2007 electronic media has been facing either complete or partial closure/shutdowns either throughout the country or in particular areas. The channels closure/shutdown is used to curb the independence of media when certain `advice`by pressure groups is not entertained due to independent editorial policy,` said the statement.

Without free media people`s right to be informed vanished, it said, adding that when faced with illegal shutdowns, the broadcasters were left with absolutely no avenue of addressing the problem `immediately`.

`The government as well as Pemra and federal and provincial law-enforcing agencies are seldom forthcoming in offering any help to the broadcasters,` said the PBA.

`It is against the above background, as well as forthcoming elections, that Pakistan`s broadcasters have united to safeguard viewers` right to know.