KARACHI: The office-bearers of Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA) were shocked at the statement made by the Federal Information Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira, in front of the members of Standing Committee of National Assembly on Information and Broadcasting, that the government intends to impose fresh regulations as Code of Conduct on the Electronic Media.

These remarks are contrary to the understanding given to PBA by the then Minister of Information, to draft a Voluntary Self-regulated Code of Conduct. Such draft was duly prepared and submitted to the government and Pemra, response of which is still awaited.

Instead, Minister Kaira revealed on last Monday that the government had constituted its own committee for imposition of a Code of Conduct as Pemra regulations. Later at an emergent Board meeting on April 19, 2010 members expressed grave concern and condemned the somersault of Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira.

The minister needs to recall that the President Asif Ali Zardari in a luncheon meeting with PBA delegation in November, 2009 had also called for adoption of a Voluntary Code of Conduct submitted by PBA. PBA appealed to the President to take strong note to the comments of the Federal Minister as it will crucify the government’s claims of affording freedom of expression to electronic media and implement the Voluntary Self-regulated Code of Conduct immediately.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/22/2010