Media urged to avoid projecting terrorism | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Media urged to avoid projecting terrorism

PESHAWAR – The Inter-Provincial Conference of the information ministers held here on Tuesday urged both print and electronic-media to avoid highlighting terrorists and acts of terrorism through undue projection of their activities and statements.

This was stated by Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rasheed Ahmad after presiding the inter-provincial conference of the provincial information ministers here at the Peshawar Press Club (PPC).

The conference was attended besides others, by Minister of State for Information Anisa Zeb, Federal Information Secretary Anwar Mehmood, Principal Information Officer Akram Shaheedi and information ministers of NWFP, Balochistan, and Sindh CM’s Advisor on information Salahuddin Haider.

The conference unanimously passed resolution against terrorism and sectarianism, and expressed concern what it called the recent trend in a section of the media to project and portray terrorists and acts of terrorism in a manner that glorifies rather than condemns and discourage terrorists’ activities. Any such person from both print and electronic media would face strict action.

Regarding the efforts of the government for the recovery of the Chinese engineers, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said that they are assets to the nation, saying that Sino-Pak relations are higher than Himalayas and time-tested, and hoped that Mehsud tribe of South Waziristan in general and Jalal sub-tribe in particular would persuade the kidnappers for their safe recovery.

He said both federal and provincial governments are looking to the elders of the Mehsud tribe, and now the responsibility rest with them to get the kidnapped Chinese engineers released.

Regarding taking action against the kidnappers, the federal information minister said the lives of the Chinese engineers are dear to them and also avoiding creating any negative impression.

He said the launching of operation for their release is the matter of few minutes, but the government wants their safe recovery.

Replying a query regarding the provision of safe passage to the kidnappers, he said they are ready to take any decision for the safe recovery of the Chinese engineers, adding the purpose of the kidnappers is to get projection through media.

Sheikh Rashid Ahmed said the government has given license to 34 channels, which would be on air within a year, adding the launching of new television channels would create employment opportunity for about 0.15 million people.

In response to a question on the President’s uniform issue and the opposition’s agitation, Sheikh Rashid Ahmad said it is no issue as the President himself has to take decision on his own, adding both the ARD and the MMA has right to protest.

Regarding Kalabagh Dam, he said the government is determined to construct both Kalabagh and Basha dams, but could not say anything about the time-frame.

Source: Business Recorder

Date:10/13/2004