‘Allocate separate funds for print, electronic media’

Journalists and writers highlight importance of implementing 25% quota for regional newspapers.

LAHORE: Renowned personalities from the world of journalism and literature have stressed on the allocation of separate budgets for the print and electronic media, terming it necessary for the overall improvement of journalism in the country and regional journalism, in particular.

While addressing a seminar on the Challenges Faced by Journalism and Literature on Thursday, held at Al Hamra Cultural Complex, organised by the Express Media Group, senior journalists said implementation of the 25% quota for the regional newspapers was necessary and the business organisations should pay attention to literary journals and newspapers coming out from small cities.

Renowned journalist Mujeebur Rehman Shami told the audience that regional newspapers should not let their focus slip away from local issues while Arif Nizami said journalism was prospering at the cost of literature.

The regional dailies, Mumtaz Tahir pointed out, prepare journalists for the mainstream national press, adding that provision of 25% quota should strictly be followed. While speaking on the occasion, Rehmat Ali Razi said journalism graduates are hardly prepared for facing the challenges in the practical world. Our younger generation is confused, he stated, adding that neither the government nor the media organisations pay attention towards this burning issue.

Highlighting the correlation between journalism and literature, Khawar Naeem Hashmi said, “Journalism and literature go hand-in-hand in the Asian Subcontinent while classic Urdu literature will always be mentioned in any general discussion on literature.”

Regional broadsheets are very important but unfortunately they fail to update themselves, according to Naveed Chaudhry.

Noted poet Amjad Islam Amjad said newspapers and television channels are presenting a distorted version of our language and sadly the younger generation is adopting it.

While putting light on the importance of literature and journalism, Dr Mehdi Hasan said “both are important”. They are closely associated but yet separate from each other, he added.

Columnist Orya Maqbool Jan stated that writers become interested in their own publicity, adding that a small minority tries to establish their supremacy over the 180 million people of Pakistan.

Sughra Sadaf said people have been cut off from their land in the name of religion and faith. She said the nation was regressing rather than progressing. Famous television host Sohail Waraich said both journalism and literature reflect their respective times but they should not ignore their conscience. “A poet can be straightforward and say easily what he wants to say while a columnist has to be tricky in his expression,” Lateef Chaudhry said.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 27^th, 2015.