Publications of CPNE members to be registered under digital policy by default: Fawad

Information Minister says he will promote links between information ministry officials and media outlets

ISLAMABAD:

Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday announced that all publications, which are members of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), would be registered under the new Digital Media Policy by default.

The information minister revealed the federal government’s decision when a delegation of CPNE, led by President Kazam Khan, called on Fawad and Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib.

The CPNE delegation apprised the government representatives of its concerns about the new digital policy, including the fair distribution of advertisements and issues facing regional newspapers.

“If any media organisation wants to move towards transformation, it will be given full support,” said Fawad. “Will promote links between information ministry officials and media outlets.”

The information minister added that the role of CPNE in protecting the rights of journalists is unforgettable and strengthening regional press would benefit the country.

“After the 18th amendment, regional newspapers are a provincial subject, money is transferred from the federation to the provinces whereas regional newspapers are not getting the facilities they deserve,” he said. “We [the government] will provide loan facility up to Rs1 million for digitization of newspapers and the Ministry of Information would assist in the process.”

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Fawad added that the importance of regional media, which plays an important role in highlighting local issues, had also increased with the advancement of news dissemination technology.

“When I became the minister of information in 2018, I started the work of digitizing advertisements, and made transparency in the advertising system possible,” he said. “Press Information Department has started paperless work and soon it will become paperless.”

At present the entire advertising system was paperless and all advertisements had been digitized, added Fawad.

“Issues like delay in release order have also been resolved. Directly linking PID to AGPR will facilitate payments,” said Fawad. “Payments for advertisements have not been delayed till April 2020, whereas payments have been made since 2018.”

There are some issues regarding clients' payments, the minister added. The government would talk to the clients about it.

“Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government has approved the Protection of Journalists and Media Professionals Act 2021 to protect the rights of journalists,” said Fawad.

Furthermore, Habib added that CPNE was a representative body of journalists from all over the country. “DGPRs are working within the provinces. We will also talk about implementing the formula of 85/15 in the provinces,” he said.

The CPNE delegation also included Senior Vice President Ayaz Khan, Secretary-General Amir Mahmood, Deputy Secretary-General Yousuf Nizami, Vice President Islamabad Sardar Khan Niazi, Joint Secretary (Islamabad) Shakeel Ahmed Turabi, Joint Secretary (Punjab). Tanveer Shaukat, Vice President (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Dr Hafiz Sanaullah Khan, Joint Secretary (Khyber Pakhtunkhwa) Tahir Farooq, Joint Secretary (Sindh) Ghulam Nabi Khan Chandio and other members were present while Principal Information Officer Sohail Ali Khan was also present in the meeting.