Aziz for reasonable wages for journalists: Media financially stable
LAHORE, March 25 2006: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that the government firmly believed in free media policy aimed at promoting electronic and print media in the country.
Speaking at the launching of an Urdu daily’s local edition, he said an open and free media policy was absolutely necessary for the promotion of democratic system of government. “Now the media should contribute towards responsible journalism,” he said
According to the prime minister, the government was not exploiting advertisements’ issue as a leverage against any newspaper.
He said that with the promotion of industry-based private sector, media had attained financial stability as colour advertisements were appearing on front pages which reflected newspapers’ better monetary health.
He said about five years ago such front-page advertisements could be hardly seen but now the scenario had changed altogether.
Aziz said that if TV channels and print media were financially sound through the contribution of private sector in terms of advertisements, the media people would be paid more and given better working conditions.
About the implementation of the wage award, he said he fully supported the federal information minister in this regard for his efforts to resolve the issue amicably and said a “reasonable pay must be given to mediamen.”
The prime minister said since news stories were aired 24 hours, the newspapers must focus on factual investigative reporting.
Aziz said qualified and trained staff was not available to most of the new TV channels for better production.
He urged the media to contribute to mutual understanding and demonstration of high degree of tolerance in society.
Source: Dawn
Date:3/25/2006
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