Tazeen Akhtar / Editor of Daily Newspaper from Islamabad / Member Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors
Islamabad; 31 Aug 2021 – PTI Government’s new media press legislation has disturbed the EU envoys as well after many tv channels and newspapers already have terminated their staff and locked their offices down throughout the country. This has been termed as the most cruel press media policy “conspired” by any government so far by all organisations , weather they belong to the owners or the workers.
The Ambassadors discussed media freedom and new legislation with Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry when all media and press organizations of country have already rejected the new legislation for so called Pakistan Media Development Authority two weeks ago.
The event was hosted by Ambassador of the European Union to Pakistan Androulla Kaminara in which Federal Information team tried to convince the European Union on a legislation that can fine a tv channel upto 250 Million PKR fine that has no example in the history of Pakistan.
Minister of State Farrukh Habib and Federal Secretary Info Ms Shahira Shahid was also present at this meeting. Ambassadors of Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Hungary, Belgium and other EU countries attended the conversation and raised questions.
Here it is worth mentioning that right of speech and freedom of press is one of the basic requirements that Pakistan has to abide by for GSP status. Abolition of Death Penalty and human/ minority rights are among major issues of concern for EU to continue GSP status for Pakistan. Now freedom of press is another matter that can put Pakistan further away from the clearance.
Fawad is a minister of information about whom everyone in the press industry knows that he does not see any future of the newspapers. Minister Information says always that people do not need newspapers or channels. They can read paper and watch channels on their cell phones. That mindset has given rise to social media current affairs and news bulletins with no responsibility and no check and balance. Thousands of youtube channels consisting of one or two persons are disseminating half cooked , unconfirmed, sensational stories spreading anxiety in the society.
“Ambassadors had an open and frank discussion on content and process of legislation on media freedom and regulation with Minister for Information and Broadcasting,” Ambassador Kaminara said.
Fawad Chaudhry said the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority will be authorized to impose a fine on TV channels of up to Rs250 million against the current upper limit of Rs1 million in existing laws.
The minister pointed out that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority was a rich organization, “but unfortunately it didn’t spend a penny on journalists’ training, research and digital media since its formation.”
He said there were currently seven laws regulating media in Pakistan. “Social media is dealt by the PTA, press is managed by the Press Council, the electronic media is dealt by PEMRA, and labor regulations are looked after by Implementation Tribunal for Newspapers Employees, while the Audit Bureau of Circulation deals with newspaper registrations.”
On 16 Aug 2021 The Joint Committee of media organizations comprising CPNE, APNS, PBA, PFUJ and AEMEND have unanimously rejected Govt. efforts to establish PMDA.
The recently circulated Minutes of the meeting between Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and these organizations are misleading and have been purposefully distorted to give the impression that there was no serious objection to PMDA.
All representatives were unanimous in rejecting the PMDA draft. The Ministry is continuously trying to give the impression that sections of the media fraternity are supporting the Ministry on this draconian attempt to muzzle the press. This should be stopped immediately.
The joint committee is planning to call all human rights groups, lawyers and other sections of civil society to join hands in stopping the outrageous move by the present Govt. to put further curbs on the media.
