Press given unprecedented freedom
KARACHI- The Secretary Information, Sindh, Shahnaz S. Hamid, has said that the government has allowed unprecedented press freedom and advertisements are being distributed judiciously and transparently based on merit.
She expressed these views while talking to editors and senior journalists of Urdu newspapers, in her office and said government would always welcome suggestions from journalist community in this respect.
Shahnaz Hamid disclosed that appropriate newspapers for advertisement were brought down from 170 to 45 in the list under a fair and transparent policy and while doing so circulation and merit were given importance.
Under an effective system, complaints and photographs published in newspapers were being forwarded to concerned government departments in time to enable them to solve public complaints and problems identified by newspapers, she maintained.
Regarding indecent photographs and displeasing news being published in newspapers, she said matter has already been referred to concerned institutions by Information Department and action would be taken within the ambit of laws and added that this matter would also be resolved through joint efforts of newspapers and government departments.
The secretary, Information said that such meetings are aimed at attending to the complaints of journalist community and to improve performance of Information department as newspapers are serving as bridge between public and government departments.
In order to send news item in time to newspapers throughout Sindh province, Information department would start e-mail service soon, she revealed.
On a complaint of issuance of press accreditation card to unconcerned persons, Shahnaz Hamid said a fair and transparent policy is being made in consultation with journalist community to facilitate them.
Editors and journalists attending the meeting appreciated the gesture of Press Information Department (PID) and hoped that such contacts would continue to be made in future in order to keep abreast with one another’s point of view.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/16/2002
” 
” 
” 
” 
