Pakistani Media Outlets Ordered to Limit Coverage of Khan and His PTI Party Ahead of February Elections
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Journalists at Pakistani media outlets have received instructions to censor coverage of Imran Khan's PTI party ahead of February 8 elections. This includes not showing PTI party flags or mentioning PTI affiliations of candidates.
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Restrictions on Khan and PTI coverage have increased since Khan was ousted as PM in April 2022. Many PTI members have been arrested and pressured to quit the party.
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Journalists say intimidation and harassment of those seen as PTI-supporters has increased, especially after violent May 2022 protests over Khan's arrest.
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Tactics have shifted from targeting individual journalists to pressuring media owners and management to censor PTI coverage.
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Journalists worry that on election day, internet restrictions could obstruct their ability to report on the polls and undermine trust in the process.