The Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) has elected Azhar Abbas as its new president and Tariq Mahmood as general secretary following meetings of its General Council held in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad.
According to the election results, Muhammad Usman and Mian Tahir were elected vice presidents, while Rehan Ahmed and Nadeem Jamal secured the positions of joint secretaries. Shahab Mahmood was elected finance secretary as part of the organisation’s new leadership.
The General Council also elected other members of the executive committee. Those elected include Zahid Mazhar, Masoom Rizvi, Mohsin Raza, Mubarak Ali, Kamran Lashari, Humayun Saleem, Khawaja Saif Muhammad Naushad and Razzaq Sarwahi. The new team is expected to address issues concerning electronic media, newsroom management and the wider challenges facing journalism in Pakistan.
During its meetings, the AEMEND General Council expressed serious concern over what it described as a deteriorating situation for press freedom in Pakistan. The council raised concerns about the increasing use of government powers and state institutions to restrict independent journalism and limit the space available for free media.
The council also voiced concerns about the alleged misuse of the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) and the activities of the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA). These issues were highlighted as part of broader concerns about the legal and institutional environment in which journalists and media organisations operate.
At the same time, the council criticised the irresponsible conduct of certain YouTubers who, it said, use the cover of journalism to advance personal or political agendas. However, AEMEND maintained that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to justify restrictions on the entire media industry.
