ISLAMABAD- The government has taken notice of the comments and views of sections of the national press, including those of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) and Council of Pakistan Newspapers Society (CPNE) on the recently promulgated Defamation Ordinance and will consider any reasonable amendment that further guarantees the rights of the citizens and at the same time further protects the media from undue harassment, assured the spokesman of the Ministry of Information & Media Development.

He was commenting on the opposition to the Defamation Ordinance by APNS and CPNE who have described it as not conducive to the freedom of the press, said a press release assured here on 4th October 2002.

The spokesman emphasised that government has adhered to a completely free media policy during the last three years and would like that policy to be pursued in future as well.

He, however, emphasised that freedom of the press presupposes certain responsibilities which, he was confident, would be welcomed and not opposed by the mainstream Pakistani newspapers. The government on its part, he said, will continue to work with their representatives in the days and weeks ahead to ensure that their genuine concerns are adequately addressed.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:10/4/2002