ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira said that Pakistan Peoples Party’s government believes in independence of media as it helps strengthen roots of democracy in the country.
Talking to participants of a panel discussion organised by the delegation of the European Union on the occasion of the World Press Freedom Day here today, he said, “We believe that unless we have free media it will not be possible to sustain and develop the democratic norms. We feel proud that our government believes in freedom of press.”
He said that an independent media was also part of his party’s manifesto. Media had always played a key role in restoring democracy in the country besides providing support to the government in the war against terrorism, he added.
Kaira pointed out that it was for the first time in country’s history that the right to information had been ensured to citizens through the passing of 18th Amendment. “It is the fundamental right of every citizen to have access to information,” he remarked, adding a commission had been constituted to ensure implementation of the steps, taken in 18th Amendment regarding people’s right to information.
Kaira said that the government believes that media criticism is an important component of accountability process and added, “it is important for every democratic government that puts premium on good governance to take advantage of media’s role as a society watchdog.”
The minister said the government was working to facilitate media growth, enabling it to fulfill its responsibilities in an effective manner. He said that despite the fact that a section of press is indulged in mud-slinging against the PPP leadership, the government has not taken any action against it.
He said soon after coming into power, the PPP-led government ordered to abolish PEMRA laws and introduced a self-code of conduct. He further said the government has always asked the media representatives to share their security needs while performing their professional duties.
“Media as well as other segments of society have to play an active role to defeat the menace of terrorism and extremism and change the mindset of people in this regard,” he added. He opined that it was the responsibility of media to educate people and inculcate feelings of tolerance and forbearance in them.
“For democracy, tolerance, transparency and better governance in the country, media has to play a constructive role and go in tandem with the government,” he said. Responding to queries, he said some more FM radio stations had been allowed to go on air, while others would also be allowed to become functional after following the procedure.
He also dispelled the impression that the government has banned advertisement to any newspaper. He said a huge amount had been released to media houses in the recent past. To another question he said 25 per cent quota in the advertisement had been allocated for the regional newspapers. To a question he said journalists were not allowed to visit war zone areas due to security reasons. He said the government has taken several journalists to the affected areas after the normalcy. He urged the mediapersons and the public to extend support to root out terrorism from the area. The minister said employees of the media industry would be registered with Employees Old Age Benefit Institution (EOBI), adding that it would help them get facilities of government servants. He asked the media representatives to step forward as the government wants to support media industry.
“Media representative should come forward as we are ready to implement the labor laws on media houses,” he said.
Later, talking to media after participating in the panel discussion the minister said the government has implemented the decision of the Supreme Court regarding the promotion of Grade 22 officers.
To a question he said the commission was working to probe assassination of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto in light of the United Nations Commission report. Meanwhile, head of the delegation of the European Union Jan De Kok urged Pakistani media to highlight positive aspects of the society.
“Many good things are happening in Pakistan and media should focus on these and highlight the soft image of the country,” he said.
He added that World Press Freedom Day was an opportunity to highlight the fundamental principles of Press freedom, defend media from attacks on their independence and pay tributes to journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. General Manager Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Nasir Ayaz, representative of Human Rights Commission of Pakistan Ghazi Salahuddin, Haroon Rashid from BBC and Samaa TV’s journalist Shaukat Khattak also participated in the discussion.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/4/2010
