Media will help develop consensus on war against terror, hopes PM
LAHORE: Prime Minister Yusuf Raza Gilani has hoped the media will play a role in developing consensus among people about the ongoing operation against terrorism.
Addressing Regional Press Convention-2011, organised by All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) Saturday,
Gilani said the PPP was the only political party which had always raised its voice and strived for the media freedom.
APNS President Hameed Haroon, senior journalist Majid Nizami, Arif Nizami, Mujib-ur-Rehman Shami, Mustafa Sadiq and owners of different newspapers also addressed the convention.
Punjab Governor Sardar Latif Khan Khosa, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan, Evacuee Trust Property Board Chairman Syed Asif Hashmi, PPP Lahore President Samina Khalid Ghurki, PPP Women Wing Punjab President MNA Bailum Husnain and several MNAs, MPAs of the PPP were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, the PM said the PPP government had transformed media freedom into a reality, instead of merely making hollow claims or raising slogans.
PM Gilani said democracy in Pakistan had been restored after a long struggle of political forces and a vibrant media had played an important role in strengthening democracy. He also directed the Ministry of Information to look into the case of allocation of 25 per cent quota of ads to regional papers.
He further said the PPP-led government had encouraged all initiatives of the media and promoted a self-regulation system for the media bodies. Besides, he also said the government had made amendments to different laws related with the press for ensuring an effective role of media in the country. He said the PPP had always endured media criticism with an open mind.
Paying tribute to Bhuttos, Gilani said it was the vision of Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Benazir Bhutto which was the basis of freedom of expression which the media was enjoying now.
He said constitution of trilateral commission on Wage Board Award, setting up of Support Fund for the families of journalists who lost lives in the line of duty and establishment of media university were some of the major steps of the present government. Besides, he said it was the PPP government which repealed the draconian Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority Ordinance-2007 and strived for the freedom of the press.
He added that the government would make use of all available resources to resolve problems and difficulties of media persons and the media, he assured the APNS.
APP adds: “I believe, the nation and press rise and fall together,” the prime minister said.
“When I made some major announcement on the floor of the house after seeking vote of confidence as prime minister, repeal of black laws related to media was one among them,” he stated.
Source: The News
Date:5/1/2011
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