Report and recommendations: Speakers urge independence of media

Second edition of report proposes reforms in media

ISLAMABAD: As the country goes through a crucial phase of dealing with ongoing security situation, role of media has become more critical than ever before, said experts here on Wednesday.

Specialists discussed the current state of media at launch of the second edition of “Report and Recommendations of the Media Commission” appointed by Supreme Court in 2013. Journalists and members of the civil society criticised certain policies regarding media and demanded that Pemra be made an independent institution.

National Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting Chairperson Marvi Memon said that the country was passing through a critical phase and the role of media had become increasingly important.

“Media was entering a new era and it should know all the prerequisites of this time to effectively cope with the challenges,” she said.

Referring to the report as “the red book”, Memon said that, while the colour “signifies danger”, the book with its insightful recommendations provided good guidance to the government, parliament and the media stakeholders.

She said that government had endorsed 90-95 per cent recommendations of report.

“Ministry of Information has also worked on the report but implementation would require effort of all the stakeholders,” Memon said.

Speaking about cyber crime legislation, she said that misuse of social media would be tackled through the new law.

Senator Javed Jabbar, member media commission said that various kinds of media had different impact.

Speakers said that corporate interests were getting importance in some media houses.

They said that social media had gain prominence but it was not a substitute to print media, which was more responsible.

According to the report, the only two recommendations on which the committee withheld endorsement at that stage were the recommendations calling for de-control and de-centralisation of government advertising though the press information departments and of the state-run channel’s monopoly on income from the TV license fee charged.

Former director general Radio Pakistan, Murtaza Solangi was critical of the coverage of state-run media.

He said that millions of rupees of taxpayers money were spent on these channels that “start from reporting on the president and end on [reporting on] the prime minster.”

Participants suggested that government should implement upon recommendations of the report.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 22^nd, 2015.