–Minister says vibrant media and democracy go hand in hand, govt firmly believes in freedom of expression
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz on Sunday said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would take all possible steps for resolving the financial problems being faced by journalists.
Addressing the participants of a media workers’ sit-in in front of Parliament House, the minister said he would strongly advocate the cause of the media industry at all relevant forums and play a proactive role in finding a durable solution.
He said journalism was a noble and very important profession keeping in view its role in the political and social culture.
“An independent and vibrant media, and functioning democracy were inter-dependent,” he said, adding that the media’s role in the ongoing fight against coronavirus was appreciable.
Faraz said Prime Minister Imran Khan after coming into government took practical measures for the welfare of vulnerable segments of the society. He said the media workers had also been facing financial hardships for quite a while, assuring the participants that the government would address their problems on a priority basis.
He expressed the hope that there would be good news for the media before Eidul Fitr, adding that major chunk of their outstanding salaries would be paid. He said he had come to the sit-in to express solidarity with them and to get information about the problems being faced by media workers.
He said the media persons remained in the forefront of PTI’s struggle against the status quo and its government would never let them down.
He said he himself belonged to a literary family. As his father was related to the pen profession, he considered himself part of that tribe, so he could not think of going against the interests of that profession.
The minister said the government appreciated the “constructive criticism” by the media as the watchdog, which was helpful in improving governance. He expressed the hope that the media would also highlight the constructive and positive steps taken by the government.
Earlier in the day, Faraz said the government firmly believes in the fundamental, constitutional and legal right of freedom of expression.
In a series of tweets in connection with World Press Freedom Day, he expressed the determination to provide all possible facilities for the promotion of independent and responsible journalism.
He said freedom of expression is the basis of a civilised democratic society and the fundamental right of a human.
Faraz applauded the immense sacrifices rendered by the journalists for the sanctity of the pen.
Like elsewhere in the world, Press Freedom Day is being observed in Pakistan on Sunday. The theme of this year is ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour’. United Nations Secretary-General (UNSG) António Guterres, in his message on World Press Freedom Day, said that the media has a crucial role in helping the people make informed decisions amidst the coronavirus challenge. He said the media provides an antidote to the misinformation surrounding COVID-19.
Meanwhile, press freedom is under a severe and sustained attack in Indian Occupied Kashmir (IOK) where journalists are being booked under draconian laws for reporting the truth. Indian government has banned social media networking sites to suppress public dissent in the occupied territory.
