Government reiterates commitment to press freedom
ISLAMABAD- An Information Ministry spokesman has reiterated government’s continued commitment to freedom of the Press and deregulation of the electronic media.
Expressing surprise at recent statements of APNS and CPNE, the spokesman said “freedom of the press in Pakistan today flowed from the government’s firm belief in the important role of the media in strengthening democracy and institutionalising accountability.
“The government’s track record of the past two years and half is a clear manifestation of that belief.”
Commenting upon the resolution adopted by the APNS General Council, the spokesman said that the government had always remained consistent in its declared commitment to the principles of press freedom and its abiding faith in the process of mutual consultation.
“The Chief Executive, in his first ever address to the nation, had expressed his faith in the freedom of expression and no wavering on this count has ever been exhibited by any of the government institution dealing with the subject.”
The spokesman said that the cabinet had suggested some minor amendments in the draft press laws with a view to reinforcing the real spirit behind them.
“It is unfortunate that these amendments are being misconstrued as backtracking,” he added.
The spokesman said that it was equally unfair to scandalise every incident involving a journalist as an attack on the freedom of Press.
“These isolated incidents as recounted by the APNS, need to be examined in their true perspective on a case to case basis before pronouncing a generalised verdict,” he said.
“Some of the leading publishers and editors have agreed with government that the national media scene had to be cleansed of scandal and porno sheets parading as newspapers,” the spokesman said.
He regretted that when action is taken as per law against such publications, it is interpreted as infringement on the Press.
The spokesman appealed to the APNS and CPNE to continue to work with the government to eliminate such publications that defame not only people and institutions but also bring had name to the fourth estate.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:3/22/2002
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