Efforts on to ensure free flow of information : Sherry

ASSOCIATED PRESS SERVICE


ISLAMABAD : Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman on Saturday said the new democratic set up believes in freedom of media and every possible effort was being made to ensure free flow of information. Addressing a function, organized here by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) in connection with the World Press Freedom Day, she said the present coalition government gives respect to media and fully recognizes the role it is playing in strengthening of democracy.
Sherry Rehman said the commitment of the present government towards free media is manifested by the fact that the first legislation it made was the repealing of black PEMRA laws.
“We just want to see role of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as facilitator not regulator,” she said.
The Minister regretted over the past few years efforts were made by the previous government to gag the media, but “on part of present set-up I assure complete support to the journalists so that they could perform their professional assignments in a befitting manner.”
She said the present government has put an end to such practices and is creating an enabling atmosphere for freedom of speech and expression.
However, the Minister hoped that a balance will be maintained between press freedom and responsible reporting. “Our relationship is very old which would be further strengthened in the days to come,” she added.
Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Sherry Rehman said a summary on Special Fund for Journalist who lose their lives in the line of duty has already been sent to the Cabinet for approval.
There has been several deaths of journalists during the last few years which is unprecedented, she said and added the families of the journalists who lose their lives during duties would be compensated from the fund.
She said a hotline was also being established in the Ministry of Information to facilitate the journalists, working in war zones and other conflict areas, adding that her Ministry is also in process of ensuring insurance for mediapersons.
She said present government believes in reconciliation and want to take all on board and it would remove all obstacles in the way of free media including Press Act imposed on November 3, 2007.
On the issue of Wage Board Award, the Minister said she already held a meeting with the Prime Minister.
The Minister said it is the government of Pakistan Peoples Party that has always supported cause of journalist community and it was Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto, who enforced Wage Board Award and made it a law.
She said both Ministry of Information and Ministry of Labour were already looking into the issue of Wage Board Award.
She said Ministry of Information will organise a stakeholders conference in the middle of May which is aimed at enacting media laws with input from all stakeholders and addressing issues relating to media.
Renowned journalists, Minhaj Barna and Mustansar Javed also spoke on the occasion and highlighted the issues confronting the media in the country.