Durrani asks media to expose corruption
ISLAMABAD-Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani on Thursday said that the media should expose the wrongdoings, misconduct and corruption at all levels by conducting indiscriminate and impartial reporting in the best national and public interest.
“In the present era of competition, the public and private media should rise to the challenge and expose all sorts of wrongdoings, violations and corruption whether in public or private sector. You should differentiate between the truth and falsehood, exposing all the black sheep in the best public and state interest,” said the Information Minister while inaugurating the first-ever National Conference of APP District Correspondents. Federal Secretary Information Syed Anwar Mahmood, Managing Director (MD) APP Rai Riaz Hussain and other senior officials of APP were also present.
“The Ministry of Information is playing the role of facilitator for the welfare of journalists from public and private media sectors so as the truth could be communicated to the masses. This is totally in contrast to the past traditions when the ministry used to handle the media for the government interest. Now APP reports development of national significance without discrimination between opposition and government,” he said and added that APP has emerged as a national institution rather than a state institution.
He said APP district correspondents were as backbone of the institution, He also announced provision of special facilities for them.
The Minister said, “In future, the APP district correspondents would also work for PTV and Radio Pakistan and they would also be paid Rs 3,000/- per month for working for APP English News Gathering (ENG) Service”.
The Minister also announced provision of Group Insurance for APP district correspondents. He said that like a vibrant institution, the APP has adopted its own policies and it does not work as a mere state institution.
He also congratulated the Managing Director APP on bringing about revolutionary changes in the organization under the vision of President Pervez Musharraf and directives of the Ministry of Information.
Durrani said e it clear that the government would not allow anybody to obstruct the efforts being made for the welfare of journalists.
He said the steps being taken for the welfare of the working journalists would make them more responsible, credible and confident.
Earlier, MD APP Rai Riaz Hussain in his address of welcome briefed the Minister and the secretary on the performance and significance of APP district correspondents. He said that the media had become very important in the 21st century.
“Pakistani media is enjoying unparalleled freedom and it is the only country in entire region which possesses such an independent and vibrant media. This achievement is no doubt unprecedented and its credit goes to President Pervez Musharraf and his team led by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani and Secretary Syed Anwar Mahmood,” he said.
Briefing the guests on APP structure, the MD said that the network of APP district correspondents stretched from Ghancha, the most remote area of Gilgit with the Chinese border and it concluded in Gwadar.
He said under the directives of Minister Information and the Secretary, the remuneration of the district correspondents had been raised 300-500 percent. He said three conferences have been held to impart modern training to district correspondents.
Representing the district correspondents, Muhammad Hussain Faridi, the district correspondent from Rajanpur, paid rich tributes to the Minister for taking unparalleled and revolutionary steps for the welfare and empowerment of the working journalists.
“This is the golden era of APP as we have the bold and visionary leadership of the Minister and Secretary Information,” he said.
Sindhi correspondents of the APP presented traditional Sindhi Ajrak and ‘topi’ to the Information Minister, Secretary Anwar Mahmood and the MD APP.
Source: The Nation
Date:8/31/2007
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