Government dismayed over APNS statement
ISLAMABAD- The spokesman for the ministry of Information has expressed dismay and disappointment over an unduly hostile and critical statement by the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) on what is alleged as “the trend and drift of the government press policy,” says a government handout. The spokesman regretted that the APNS chose to indulge in personal accusations against responsible persons holding public offices specially when such accusations have no foundation.
The spokesman emphasized that the government has followed a consistent policy of freedom of the press since it assumed office in October, 1999, the change of guard at the Ministry of Information notwithstanding. Independent observers both in Pakistan and abroad have acknowledged this he said.
The spokesman said, this has been possible only due to the policy decision taken by President Pervez Musharraf himself and the Ministry of Information has simply followed the course. The government press relations have been healthy and positive during this period and it is therefore, unfair to even suggest that anyone has adversely impacted on that relationship, he said.
As a consequence of the extremely close interaction between the government and the Press, both APNS and Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) played the lead role in formulating the draft press registration and Press Council laws, the spokesman said and explained that their promulgation unfortunately got delayed due to purely administrative reasons.
Under the guidance of the Minister for Information, the ministry has since been in close contact with both the APNS and CPNE and as recent as last week, the CPNE delegation headed by its President held a detailed meeting with senior officials of the Ministry including its Secretary during which, he said. CPNE was assured that the two laws are under submission to the Cabinet and are expected to be approved shortly.
As for the law on defamation and the Freedom of Information Ordinance the spokesman regretted the remarks and observations contained in the APNS statement which, he said, were not based on facts. In fact, both the draft laws are under consideration of the APNS and the CPNE as was promised by the Ministry of Information.
These were also discussed at a meeting with the CPNE delegation on the 12th of this month where in it was agreed that the CPNE as also the APNS would give due consideration to the two draft laws and would revert to the Ministry with their comments after consulting their legal counsel.
The spokesman contended that it was therefore, unfair to suggest that the anti-defamation law had been suddenly sprung on the newspapers. He reminded that in fact, both the APNS and the CPNE have been consistently agreeing with the need for stronger defamation and libel laws to contain the increasing trend of defamatory, scandalous and libellous reports by a section of the press that has been unduly and unfairly tarnishing the character and image of individual citizens.
It is therefore, surprising that the APNS should now react in the manner that it has on an issue which it has itself been concerned about and has been trying to address in the larger interest of a press that is free yet responsible and does not violate the rights of citizens to dignity and honour.
The spokesman reiterated the resolve of the government to follow its policy of freedom of the press but added that it would concurrently work with the CPNE, APNS and other stakeholders to facilitate the positioning of laws that protect the citizens from undue defamation and libel. He expressed the confidence that both the press bodies would as in the past, help the government to help both the press and the people. The Minister and the Ministry of Information would never be seen lacking in that pursuit, he concluded.
Source: The News
Date:7/20/2002
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