Islamabad; 01 July 2021 – Minister State for Information Farrukh Habib has said that Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority will bring dispersed departments of the ministry under one system that will be convenient for all stake holders. It will control the duplicity of work and save time, sources etc. The critics should read the bill thoroughly before declaring it unacceptable.
The Minister said this in a meeting with Mr. Tazeen Akhtar, Editor Daily Azkaar – Monthly Pakistan in the World, Member Standing Committee Islamabad for Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) who called on him on 01 July 2021 at his office.
Farrukh Habib said that some problems had surfaced after the expansion of electronic media. For example, the matters of press industry workers can be seen at Implementation Tribunal for Newspapers Employees (ITNE) and at Pakistan Press Council but where the workers of electronic media should go for their issues? Similarly, Press Information Department is for Newspaper industry but we have to see electronic media now as well.
The Minister noted that these and other problems can only be solved if a central authority is established and related departments are attached to it. The authority will have the representation from journalists community to safeguard their interests.
” I welcome editors and journalists to come with their suggestions in this regard.” Minister said.
He further shared that now is the age of digitization. Media has gone digital. Newspapers can also be digital if they have updated websites and e-papers.
” The government has released advertisements of one Billion PKR to Digital Media in one year. Newspapers are supposed to shift to digital media to keep pace with new trends of journalism and readership.” Minister concluded.
Mr Tazeen Akhtar apprised the Minister about CPNE. He said that Arif Nizami is our President and Amir Mehmood is acting Secretary General. Sardar Khan Niazi heads Islamabad, Tahir Farooq is leader of Peshawer and Irshad Ahmed Arif is head of Punjab chapters.
The Minister asked questions about the composition of CPNE for better understanding of the organization. He promised to give time to CPNE for a meeting with Islamabad and Peshawer chapters’ members in next week.
