Media urged to help strengthen institutions
LARKANA: Speakers at a workshop has said that media can play a role in minimising current political instability by focusing on real issues.
Addressing the workshop on `Current Political Instability and the Role of Media` and `Politics of Clash and Role of Media`, PPP`s former MNA Khalid Iqbal Memon said Pakistan was facing turmoil because of international interference and the government had to accept the conditionalties of the IMF because of economic crisis.
Pakistan was the country where democratic institutions were not allowed to strengthen, he said at the workshop held here under the banner of Pakistan Press Foundation on Wednesday.
He said that media had the right to criticise the government and its policies, but certain media groups, anchors and writers were indulging in personal criticism which was against the ethics of journalism.
He suggested that at least three political governments should be allowed to finish their tenure of five years to help bring a concrete change in the country.
Babu Sarfraz Khan Jatoi, divisional coordinator of the PML-N, held the present government responsible for political instability, price hike and law and order situation.
He said the Muthida Qaumi Movement (MQM) should be kept out of the Sindh government because they were blackmailing it. He alleged that the government could not provide security to its governor Salman Taseer and said that government`s mishandling made the killer a hero.
Political and social activist Sardar Zaffar Ali Sangi said media should play its role to strengthen democratic institutions because free fair and impartial media could bring a change in society and political situation.
Training coordinator of PPF human rights activities Lala Hassan said media was playing its effective role to strengthen political institutions by highlighting genuine issues. Media reported facts and now political forces had to play their required role. Altaf Pirzado, Ms Rizwana, Syed Jawed Shah, Nasir Mehmood, Professor Jam Jamali, Pajal Sangi and Faiz Bhangar also spoke on the occasion.
They said that media had exposed the elements behind current political instability which was due to a clash of interests among politicians. They said social ills were not grown due to criminals but due to the silence of peaceful people.
Source: Dawn
Date:1/14/2011
” 
” 
” 
” 
