Sindh High Court Orders Strict Implementation of Journalist Accreditation Rules On December 15, the Sindh High Court’s circuit bench in Hyderabad directed the Sindh Information Department to constitute divisional, regional and provincial accreditation committees and to ensure that accreditation cards are issued only to genuine, full-time working journalists, photographers and cameramen. The directions were issued while dismissing a constitutional petition related to the allotment of residential plots in the Journalists Colony. In its detailed judgment, the division constitutional bench comprising Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon and Justice Riazat Ali Sahar emphasized strict compliance with Rule 3 of the Sindh Government Accreditation Rules, 2010. The court ordered that the accreditation process must follow the prescribed procedure and that no accreditation card should be issued independently or in violation of the rules. The judgment, authored by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon, was released on Monday after the court had reserved its verdict on December 9. The court underscored the need for proper institutional mechanisms to verify the professional status of journalists through duly constituted accreditation committees at all levels. The court observed that accreditation cards play a critical role in determining eligibility for benefits meant for journalists and therefore must be issued only after thorough scrutiny. It noted that the absence of properly functioning committees could undermine the purpose of the accreditation system. The directions were issued in a case filed by 23 individuals claiming to be journalists, who had sought allotment of residential plots in the Journalists Colony designated for members of the Hyderabad Press Club. The court dismissed the petition after finding that the petitioners failed to establish any legal or equitable right to the plots. During the hearing, the Hyderabad Press Club president was represented by Barrister Jawad Ahmed Qureshi, while Assistant Advocate General Sindh Rafiq Ahmed Dahri appeared on behalf of the provincial government. Concluding the matter, the court reiterated that the Sindh Information Department must ensure transparency and adherence to the law in the accreditation process so that only eligible and full-time media professionals are recognized under the applicable rules.

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Shibli briefs PM on digital media advertising policy

March 9, 2021

ISLAMABAD – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Senator Shibli Faraz on Monday briefed Prime Minister Imran Khan about the Digital Media Advertising Policy, which was proposed by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for approval of the PM Office.

Shibli called on Prime Minister along with Focal Person to PM on Digital Media Dr Arslan Khalid and General Manager Digital Media Wing Imran Ghazali. The prime minister was briefed that there were currently 93 million Internet users, including over 45 million social media users in Pakistan, which were continuously growing.

Keeping in view the rising trend, a mechanism for release of public sector advertisements on digital media had been proposed.

He was told that currently, there was no mechanism in place for digital media advertisements of the federal government. It would be the first ever policy by the Government of Pakistan that would enable it to advertise on digital and social media platforms through the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. The prime minister was further told that Pakistan’s Digital Media Industry was rapidly growing, and the policy would encourage the new digital platforms and content creators, and overall help the country’s economy.

Recognition of the digital media industry would encourage the corporate sector to adopt digital media as an advertising medium. Dr Arslan Khalid briefed the prime minister about the Digital Media Development Programme (DMDP).

He said the DMDP was a multifaceted programme, which focused on the development and growth of the Digital Media Industry of Pakistan and extending digital literacy to the grassroots levels. The DMDP aimed to bridge the gap between the students, government, and the Digital Media Industry in order to move towards a brighter future in the Digital Media Ecosystem.

Imran Ghazali also presented a six-month performance report of Digital Media Wing. The prime minister appreciated the Minister for Information and Broadcasting for the steps taken by the ministry to strengthen Digital Media Industry of Pakistan.

Newspaper: The Nation