Law on dissemination of information fully intact
ISLAMABAD- Information Secretary Anwar Mahmood on April 7, 2003 said that the law on dissemination of information was fully intact and various measures were being taken to ensure flow of right and credible information to the people.
The secretary, who was addressing a one-day seminar on “New World Information Order – Challenges and options for Pakistan”, termed the flow of information indispensable to safeguard the national interest and urged upon the media, in particular newspapers, to equip its workforce with the latest technology to meet mounting challenges in today’s world.
Anwar contested the impression created by some speakers that the newspaper owners could not afford to send their correspondents abroad to cover war affairs as was in the case of Iraq crisis.
He said the newspaper owners get Rs 2 billion annually from the government in terms of advertisements, but were not ready to spend even 2-3 percent of their total share on their news collection system.
He questioned that how the first hand and authentic information could be gathered without having indigenous news collection sources? He said the government was promoting a culture of competition in the state-owned media and in the same context PTV was in a process to appoint 100 reporters to extend its network to district level to provide best and first hand information to its viewers.
The secretary said that the private sector should follow the suit to ensure its survival in a challenging situation.
The secretary also came hard on the local media wondering that why some newspapers and TV channels were carrying stories that Pakistan was next to Iraq to face US wrath.
“I could not understand that why some newspapers were playing into the hands of those who want to hit Pakistan’s interests?” Anwar questioned.
Anwar maintained that Pakistan was a peace loving country but fully capable to meet any eventuality.
The secretary urged upon the media to play its due role in educating the people and make them aware about their rights. He appreciated the under-training information officers for their spirited contribution to the seminar and believed that the future of Pakistan’s media would be in sound hands.
Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Chairman Mian Javed said that the government was fully committed to a free and fair flow of information for which Pemra was given an anchorperson’s role. He also traced the history of world information order on the occasion.
He said Pemra was following a transparent and unbiased policy to issue licence for the new TV and radio channels. He said the authority has received 30 applications for cable TV, which were under process.
He maintained that the future was for electronic media, which would get lion share of Pakistan’s untapped business market of Rs 22-24 billion.
The chairman urged upon the cable operators to follow self-regulation system to display their patriotism, as was the case with other several countries.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:4/8/2003
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