The Bush administration has asserted that it is important that there should be no roll back of gains made in press freedom in that country in recent years.
Replying to a question, State Department Spokesman Sean McCormack on Tuesday said it was watching the implementation of a decree issued by Pakistan President Pervez Musharraf that empowers authorities to curb the media.
McCormack wanted what he described as 'our friends in Pakistan' to view a free media as an institution that ultimately strengthens the society and added that the media has a responsibility to report the news accurately and objectively.
Referring to advances made in bringing greater freedoms, including greater freedom of the press in Pakistan over the years under President Musharraf's government, he said, "Certainly, nobody would want to see those openings reversed."
The State Department spokesman, however, said, "The steps that the Pakistani government has taken over the last several years, we believe, are generally in the right direction. And we want to encourage them. But it is also important to remember that even though a situation may be somewhat difficult, and that there is some turmoil in the system, over the long term,