ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira on Tuesday said that the democratic government has set a new precedent by practicing the philosophy of “media democracy” by tolerating some of the most biased sections of the national media, and by letting the people be the judge on its role.
“The allegation that the government will target some journalists is absolutely false and baseless, and has been made with a malicious intent to unduly attack the present regime,” said Kaira while talking to the media here on his reaction to a news report appearing in a section of the press on an alleged “hit-list” of the government.
“From day one, the people’s government has demonstrated its absolute commitment to media freedom by encouraging democratic dissent, and not taking any kind of action against even the most biased and unethical instances of news reporting and commentary made by a section of the media against the government,” said the federal minister in his strong rebuttal of the press report.
“On the contrary, it is under the democratic government’s rule that the media is enjoying such unbridled power and freedom of expression.”Questioning the authenticity of the said report, the federal minister pointed to its clear absence of attribution to verifiable sources of information.
“Reports that are published without verifying facts and that use hearsay with the sole objective of attacking the government have zero credibility in the eyes of readers who are mature enough to differentiate between professional journalism and a smear campaign,” said Kaira.
“Such reports have been appearing for the last two years, but the people now know better than to believe them. The people are the best judge of media’s role and credibility.” He said that despite a continuing stream of inaccurate reporting and venomous commentary by a few journalists working for a section of the media, the democratic government has persisted with its commitment towards ensuring press freedom, and it has taken no action against any journalist.
“Such elements are using the dignified space offered by the national media to unleash a deliberate and prolonged character assassination and defamation of the elected government’s leadership,” said Kaira.
“But far from taking any measures against them, such reports actually strengthen the democratic government’s resolve to continue protecting media freedom and democracy, and encourage freedom of expression,” said the minister.
Source: The News
Date:5/26/2010
