Book launch: Media should avoid negative portrayal of Pakistan says PM
Premier urged the media to focus on factual reporting and never compromise on factual accuracy.
ISLAMABAD:
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf urged the media on Friday to avoid spreading a negative image of Pakistan.
Speaking at a launch for a book published by the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications titled “Reconciliation, Reforms and Revival”, the premier said that the Pakistani media was completely independent, adding, “We take pride that it is playing an eminent and effective role as a watchdog.”
However, Premier Ashraf said, “the media should avoid projecting things that lead to feelings of dejection and despair, about the future of Pakistan.” He urged the media to focus on factual reporting and never compromise on factual accuracy.
“The government’s cause of concern arises when facts are compromised and opinions are presented as facts. My advice to the media is that accuracy should never be compromised at the altar of ratings,” Prime Minister Ashraf pointed out.
Even more candidly, the premier specifically asked the media, and new channels in particular, to carry out self censorship and cut out parts where speakers vent their views against Pakistan. He said that Pakistan, being a nuclear power and a determined nation, would foil ‘the desperate attempts of a few people’ to malign Islam as well as the country.
Prime Minister Ashraf said that the nation must shun despondency as desperation and hopelessness were a sin in Islam. “The entire nation must rise together irrespective of their religious and political affiliations, for the solidarity of Pakistan,” he said.
Premier Ashraf, while appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for compiling the achievements of the government over the last four years, urged it to do their work honestly.
Referring to various achievements of the government over the last four and a half years, he said that besides taking steps for the welfare of farmers, workers and peasants, the government increased the salaries of the government servants by 150%.
Ashraf said that although people always complain of inflation, it should be seen from a “real perspective” because living standards today are better than they were a decade ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2012.
Prime Minister Raja Pervaiz Ashraf urged the media on Friday to avoid spreading a negative image of Pakistan.
Speaking at a launch for a book published by the Directorate of Electronic Media and Publications titled “Reconciliation, Reforms and Revival”, the premier said that the Pakistani media was completely independent, adding, “We take pride that it is playing an eminent and effective role as a watchdog.”
However, Premier Ashraf said, “the media should avoid projecting things that lead to feelings of dejection and despair, about the future of Pakistan.” He urged the media to focus on factual reporting and never compromise on factual accuracy.
“The government’s cause of concern arises when facts are compromised and opinions are presented as facts. My advice to the media is that accuracy should never be compromised at the altar of ratings,” Prime Minister Ashraf pointed out.
Even more candidly, the premier specifically asked the media, and new channels in particular, to carry out self censorship and cut out parts where speakers vent their views against Pakistan. He said that Pakistan, being a nuclear power and a determined nation, would foil ‘the desperate attempts of a few people’ to malign Islam as well as the country.
Prime Minister Ashraf said that the nation must shun despondency as desperation and hopelessness were a sin in Islam. “The entire nation must rise together irrespective of their religious and political affiliations, for the solidarity of Pakistan,” he said.
Premier Ashraf, while appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting for compiling the achievements of the government over the last four years, urged it to do their work honestly.
Referring to various achievements of the government over the last four and a half years, he said that besides taking steps for the welfare of farmers, workers and peasants, the government increased the salaries of the government servants by 150%.
Ashraf said that although people always complain of inflation, it should be seen from a “real perspective” because living standards today are better than they were a decade ago.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 22nd, 2012.