The New Nation - Internet Edition

Reuters, Karachi

Outraged Pakistani journalists have been confronting police on the streets since President Pervez Musharraf imposed emergency rule three weeks ago and muzzled the vibrant media that blossomed under his rule. The battle is over more than just freedom of the press. "It is actually a power struggle between the military establishment and the new emerging power centers in civilian life represented by the media barons," said Sabihuddin Ghausi, president of the Karachi Press Club. Army chief Musharraf, stung by criticism of his maneuvers to hold on to power, curbed the media and blacked out private television news channels, and international broadcasters, after imposing emergency rule on November 3. All but the most popular channel, Geo News, have been allowed back on air although none is running the political talk shows that infuriated the government. Journalists are demanding an end to the emergency and the lifting of what they describe as draconian new media laws.