‘Govt and media should be on friendly terms’

Lawmakers, intellectuals and media persons call for cordial relations between media and govt to stabilise democracy.

ISLAMABAD: Lawmakers, intellectuals and media persons at a seminar on Thursday called for cordial relations between media and the government to stabilise democracy in the country.

Expressing concern over the increasing incidents of violence against media persons, they asked the government to ensure security to the journalists and freedom of expression.

Organized by South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA), the speakers said, for the first time in the country’s history there is a vibrant media that enjoys complete freedom. They stressed the need for removing the misunderstandings between media and the elected government so that both can work to strengthen democracy.

Pakistan People Party (PPP) information secretary Fauzia Wahab said, “Military rulers always curbed the media but PPP believes in freedom of press and has rendered sacrifices for this cause.” She said that a section of media was carrying out “false analysis” against the elected government, which is dangerous for democracy.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 15^th,2010.