Unprecedented growth takes place in media: Shaukat
ISLAMABAD (February 18 2007): Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has said unprecedented growth has taken place in media as a result of the liberal policies of the government and the passage of Pemra Bill will further facilitate and streamline growth in this sector.
Chairing a meeting here on Saturday to review the working of Pemra, he said the government believes in free flow of information to keep the population of the country abreast with the international events, trends and developments. However, he clarified that no program prejudicial to sovereignty, security and integrity of the country would be allowed.
He hoped that Pemra should ensure the programmes reflect our culture and traditions in line with our social and cultural norms. The Prime Minister constituted a committee under Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani to prepare policy guidelines for future expansion of the electronic media in the public and private sectors. He said the policy should be in line with best regional and international practices and recommend steps to protect investments in the sector.
Chairman of Pemra made a presentation about the implementation status of decisions earlier made by the Prime Minister. He said Pemra has closed down over 970 cable operations and over 150 FM Radio stations, which were being operated illegally. It has regularised 67 illegal foreign channels and recovered all outstanding fines and fees.
Tariff rationalisation attracted 15 new requests for satellite TV (STV) licences in the last six months, he added. The meeting was attended among others by Minister for Information and Broadcasting Muhammad Ali Durrani, Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Tariq Azeem and other senior officials.
Source: Business Recorder
Date:2/18/2007
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