Govt firmly stands behind working journalists: Fawad

Says due to lack of defamation laws, we have more freedom of media than first world

ISLAMABAD:

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Friday said that the government and the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting were firmly standing behind the working journalists.

Talking to the delegation of Rawalpindi, Islamabad Union of Journalists (RIUJ) led by its secretary general and All Pakistan Newspapers Employees Confederation (APNEC) Chairman Muhammad Siddique Anzar, the minister stressed the need of promoting responsible journalism in the country and urged the journalists to avoid filing news stories out of context.

Brushing aside the misconception that there was no freedom of media in Pakistan, he said “we compare our media freedom with first world. Due to lack of defamation laws, we have more freedom of media than first world.”

The minister said the responsibilities of media houses and the government had increased manifold after the recent approval of Protection of Journalists and Media Professional Act, 2021.

The input of all journalist organisations and journalsits were sought in the preparation of journalists and media professionals Act 2021, he added.

Fawad said favorite journalists and some media groups were awarded during the previous regime which was admitted by Pakistan Muslim League Nawaz Vice President Maryam Nawaz in her press conference.

He lamented that the use of government funds and powers by a private person was illegal.

The minister said the government was conducting the inquiry of misuse of government funds by a private person and findings would be shared with the people.

Criticizing previous governments, he said journalists used to face unchecked killings and injuries at the hands of mafia in the past.

The RIUJ delegation condemned Maryam Nawaz’s confession regarding awarding favourite journalists and special media houses in previous government.

The minister listened the problems of journalists and assured their resolution.

The delegation lauded the efforts of the government, especially Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari for passing the Protection of Journalists and Media Professional Act, 2021 in protecting the rights of working journalists.

The members included RIUJ, Acting President Rana Rizwan, Usman Khan, Farhat Fatima and Media Workers Organisation President Kaleem Shamim were also present in the meeting.