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| March 25, 2006 | Saturday | Safar 24, 1427 |
Aziz for reasonable wages for journalists: Media financially stable
LAHORE, March 24: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz said on Friday that the government firmly believed in free media policy aimed at promoting electronic and print media in the country.
Speaking at the launching of an Urdu daily’s local edition, he said an open and free media policy was absolutely necessary for the promotion of democratic system of government. “Now the media should contribute towards responsible journalism,” he said
According to the prime minister, the government was not exploiting advertisements’ issue as a leverage against any newspaper.
He said that with the promotion of industry-based private sector, media had attained financial stability as colour advertisements were appearing on front pages which reflected newspapers’ better monetary health.
He said about five years ago such front-page advertisements could be hardly seen but now the scenario had changed altogether.
Aziz said that if TV channels and print media were financially sound through the contribution of private sector in terms of advertisements, the media people would be paid more and given better working conditions.
About the implementation of the wage award, he said he fully supported the federal information minister in this regard for his efforts to resolve the issue amicably and said a “reasonable pay must be given to mediamen.”
The prime minister said since news stories were aired 24 hours, the newspapers must focus on factual investigative reporting.
Aziz said qualified and trained staff was not available to most of the new TV channels for better production.
He urged the media to contribute to mutual understanding and demonstration of high degree of tolerance in society.
The prime minister said all available resources would be utilized for making the defence of the country invincible. He said that Pakistani scientists had recently developed a modern cruise missile with indigenous resources.
He said that decision on the gas pipeline project would also be taken strictly in line with government policies in the greater national interests.
About policy on Kashmir, he declared that Pakistan’s policy was very clear that only such a solution to the dispute was acceptable which was based on aspirations of the people of Kashmir.
About the law and order situation in Balochistan, he said only a preventive action was being carried out there against subversive elements for the restoration of peace in the region. He asserted that “no state within the state” will be allowed and the writ of the government would be established.
Federal Information Minister Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, speaking on the occasion, said as a result of the liberal government policy 1,200 newspapers were being published across the country.
He said not a single advertisement of any newspaper was withheld in the past.
Rashid said 15 private TV channels were operating in the country while 37 more would on air in future. He said the private sector through advertisements had contributed a lot to making the electronic and print media financially strong. He said advertisements of private sector were now dominating the front pages of newspapers and now the official advertisements were denied same-day publication because newspapers got more revenue from the private sector.
He said as electronic media would gain more popularity in future, it should play a vital role in country’s progress and prosperity.—APP
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