Bill on Pemra to promote electronic media
ISLAMABAD – Information and Broadcasting Minister Sheikh Rashid on Friday said the Amendment Bill on Pemra was meant to promote electronic media, besides ensuring implementation of code of conduct.
Sheikh Rashid said, it is a unique precedent that the cross-media ownership is being allowed in the country, which reflects government’s commitment to the promotion of media.
“Pakistan is the only country in the region that is allowing newspaper owners to establish their TV channels simultaneously,” he said.
He said, at present, Pemra has no authority to ensure implementation of code of conduct by the electronic channels. He said it was mandatory to bring the bill for enabling Pemra to implement its code of conduct. However, special care has been taken that Pemra may not transgress powers given under this amendment, he added.
“The TV channels have been given the right to appeal against any decision of Pemra,” he said.
Rashid said that the government had already accorded permission to eight satellite channels and 21 FM radio stations in the private sector.
He said that 24 newspaper owners had applied for grant of permission for TV channels.
He said that for promotion of education, the government had allowed FM Radio channels to three universities, while another is being given licence for satellite TV channel.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:10/9/2004
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