Press is free in Pakistan: Rashid | Pakistan Press Foundation (PPF)

Pakistan Press Foundation

Press is free in Pakistan: Rashid

KARACHI – Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid has claimed that Press in Pakistan is enjoying more freedom than any other country in Asia, as well as Islamic world.

This he stated while addressing Urdu Press-Problem & Prospects conference organized by the Mass Communication Department, Karachi University on May 26.

He said that freedom of Press in the country had started from the tenure of former Prime Minister Mohammed Khan Junejo and the present government had given great freedom to the Press which was never enjoyed before.

Sheik Rashid said that the 9/11 incident had changed the paradigm of politics of the world and enhanced the geopolitical importance of Sub-continent besides increasing the role of print and electronic media.

He told the participants that government had given the approval of seven channels and the sanction for more 13 channels is being taken into account, which would lead to a revolution in the field of media.

The minister advised that print media should adopt new techniques, vision and innovations to compete with the international press, as it was difficult profession and required technical person, which would convey their message with proper line and length.

He had announced Rs2.5 million grants for new institutions for Mass Communication from the Prime Minister fund.

City Nizam Namtilullah Khan said that Pakistan had come into being on ideological bases and Urdu journalism played a key role in this ideological movement. He stressed that Urdu journalism must stand on that ideological and two-nation theory. He stressed on both Urdu and English Journalism to create awareness among youth about the two-nation theory.

Vice Chancellor of Karachi University Dr. Qasim Pirzada said that it was a delightful day for us that Sheik Rashid was present among us and said that Sheikh Rashid was important member of President General Pervez Musharraf team and hoped that he would do better for journalism and assists us to promote our efforts to enhance buildup Mass Communication Department.

Dr. Pirzada added that he had followed all the recommendations and he announced that Karachi University would arrange internships for Mass Communication Departments Students in electronic media and in print media.

Abu Zar Wajadi Dean Faculty of Arts said that journalism was more powerful institutions in Pakistan. Dr. Tahir Massoad Chairman of Mass Communications Department in his welcome address said that in a conference that comprehensive papers were read.

He said that he demanded from government to give complete freedom to the press and also give security to newsmen and owners of newspapers from all circles.
He said that our Press was more pressurized from all circles and its responsibility of government to give protection to newspapers.

He said that newspapers should play positive role and guides the society and country and added that newspapers played their role without any political or government affiliations. He said that government should immediately announce not to ban on ads of any newspaper.

While in the morning session, need and upgradation of international standard digest magazines, newsweeklies and low priced quality newspapers was highlighted in the papers presented on the third day of conference.

Session on magazine journalism was presided over by Jamaludin Aali, while Dr. Mugheesudin Sheikh and Dr. Mohammed Khalid of Department of Mass Communication University of Punjab and Bahauddin Zakaria University Multan, presented papers.

Dr. Mughees was over view that prospects for political weeklies are not bright in Pakistan. He said that all sorts of news, analyses and opinion were presented instantly and efficiently by the daily newspapers and electronic media and readers cloud not wait for a week to a read the issues ion the magazines.

He, however, said there was an always need for magazines giving objective and neutral coverage to all sections of the population and different shades of opinion. Jamiluddin Aali in his presidential remarks added that Digests often fictionalize and thus misrepresent facts. This negative trend, he said, need to be checked properly.

Former Vice Chancellor of the University of Karachi Dr. Jamil Jalibi said that the presentation style of the Urdu newspapers needs to be changed and Urdu Press must follow the international standard of news presentation. He added placing most of the stories on the front and back pages and remains parts on the inside pages in not a good trend.

Ziauddin, Resident Editor daily Dawn Islamabad said that Press voice was always suppressed by military rulers and said that in Sub-Continent Pakistani Press was pressurized by the establishments and always fought for people’s rights.
He said both English and Urdu newspapers, both represent the same society, their readers were different. Urdu Press caters to the needs of masses, the English newspapers were read in the corridors of powers.

Prof Dr. Nisar Ahmed Zuberi, a former Chairman of the Department of Mass Communication spoke on the trend of the low priced newspapers, which have gained popularity in recent years. He was, however, critical on the quality of content and language of these newspapers and said they must not sacrifice the quality.

Prof Sharif Mujahid appreciated the quality of the papers and said the quality of the Urdu Press can be improved by improving the salary and service structures at the Urdu newspapers.
Source: The Nation
Date:5/27/2004