Leaders of Karachi Union of Journalists Announce Protest and Sit-In at Suno News Office to Demand Justice for Affected Journalists
- Unjustified Dismissals and Salary Cuts by Suno News Violate Journalists’ Rights
- KUJ Dastur Calls on Prime Minister, Chief Justice, and Chairman PEMRA to Address the Ongoing Injustices Faced by Journalists at Suno News
- Media Integrity Under Threat: KUJ Dastur Warns of Long-Term Damage to Independent Journalism if Actions Against Suno News Are Not Addressed
- Protests and Banners Planned Outside Suno News Offices to Hold Media Owners Accountable for Violating Journalists’ Rights and Freedom of the Press
Karachi – The Karachi Union of Journalists (Dastoor) has vehemently condemned the forced dismissals of journalists and the massive salary cuts at Suno News. The union’s President Hamidur Rehman and General Secretary Syed Nabil Akhtar have called for immediate intervention from the Prime Minister, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, and the Chairman of PEMRA. They are demanding that the Suno News channel’s license be suspended until the dismissed journalists are reinstated and the original salaries are restored.
In a strong statement, the leaders of KUJ Dastoor announced plans for a protest and a sit-in at the Suno News office if the journalists are not immediately reinstated. They expressed their strong condemnation of the unjustified dismissals and the unjustified salary cuts, especially in this era of high inflation. These actions, they say, are not only demoralizing for the affected journalists but also cause irreparable damage to an independent and responsible institution like the media.
KUJ Dastoor leaders pointed out that such actions are a direct violation of journalists’ rights and undermine the principles of freedom of the press. “These actions make the hearts of journalists cold and demoralize them,” they said, emphasizing that media integrity should never be compromised. The KUJ Dastoor leaders called on the Prime Minister, Chief Justice, and Chairman PEMRA to take immediate steps to restore journalists’ rights by suspending the channel’s license until justice is served.
Over the past week, Suno News informed its journalists about their forced dismissals and salary reductions without any prior notice, violating the country’s labor laws. The channel also failed to offer any assurances regarding salary payments. They said such conduct is a blatant disregard for employees’ legal rights.
KUJ Dastoor leaders further emphasized that protests will be staged outside the Suno News office, with banners to demand justice for the affected journalists. Secretary KJD has urged the concerned authorities to take swift action to protect the freedom of the press and address the violations committed against the journalists at Suno News. He stressed that media owners should never hold journalists hostage and that KUJ Dastoor stands united in its demand for accountability and justice for the dismissed employees.
KUJ Dastoor is calling for immediate action to uphold journalists’ rights and ensure that media workers are protected from exploitative practices. The union continues to fight for the restoration of media integrity and is committed to defending journalists’ rights across the country.