Firdous announces formation of new media ad policy

Information Secretary Parveen says same amount which was paid before Eid will be given in July

ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information and Broadcasting Firdous Ashiq Awan has announced introducing a new media advertisement policy, saying it will be in line with the modern times and consultations will be held with all stakeholders in this regard.

Addressing a meeting of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), the prime minister’s aide said, “The new advertisement policy - which includes changes in the role of agencies - will be presented before the cabinet in the second week of next month.”

She welcomed CPNE President Arif Nizami and other members to Islamabad.

Firdous said the government wanted to give economic independence to the media owners so that the media workers could receive their salary on time. She stressed the need to address negative and fake news. “The importance of print media has not reduced as it has an important and strong role,” said Firdous, adding that social media was being made part of the advertisement policy so that they could get ownership.

President Alvi calls for curbing fake news

She said that as soon as she took charge of her office, she initiated payment of government dues even though the previous government issued ads for the promotion of specific people. “It is the vision of the government to fulfil all legal demands of the media.”

The special assistant said the new policy was being formulated as there was a gap in the old policy where 15% had power while 85% moved around like beggars. “From now onwards, they will receive business on the basis of their performance and no one will be given business on personal interest.”

CPNE President Nizami said, “The incumbent government is trying to address our issues. It is important for the government and the media to be on one page.”

He said earlier they were asked to decide whether they belonged to the government or the private sector and be modernised. “However, after the arrival of the new minister for information, the issues are being resolved,” said Nizami, adding that the private sector and the government were facing economic crisis and its impact was being felt by the press.

New media advertisement policy in the works: Awan

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Zahida Parveen said, “The media and the government cannot run without each other as both are essential for one another.”

Parveen said it was compulsory for the government and the media to unite for the resolution of the issues. “The government is taking positive steps to resolve the issues of the media.”

The information secretary announced payment of dues in July, saying the same amount, which was paid before Eid would be given as “the government wants to clear all dues as soon as possible”. She lamented that despite the 18th Amendment, the regional newspapers were being given ads according to the 25% quota.

The secretary asked the CPNE to help identify the dummy newspapers as the ministry was unaware of them.