KARACHI, May 2: Free press is crucial for creating a conducive environment for businesses to prosper.

Market distortions retard progress. A vibrant objective press can go a long way in exposing self-serving vested interests. It influences public opinion that creates public pressure and helps in minimise distortions. It can also help create an awareness regarding progressive business practices.

Dawn contacted some seasoned business leaders on the eve of World Press Freedom Day to be celebrated around the world on May 3.

These leaders unanimously supported press freedom in the country by saying that it has helped them incorporate business issues in the current public debate.

They think that the print media, which is now wide open in the last few years, should do more in-depth investigative reporting aimed at highlighting corruption, business scams and frauds. The press should also focus on social issues without any fear or favour.

However, they offered mixed views in appearing and giving views on the electronic media.

Some say the businessmen are more interested in appearing on electronic media rather than on print media.

Some leaders think that print media has its own charm, in view of deepness of stories which perhaps TV cannot approach in a short span of time.

Some section of the press is taking full advantage by printing more negative stories by twisting facts which is against good norms of responsible journalism, they added.

President, Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), Majyd Aziz said Pakistan’s press has been given considerable freedom which at times they are not able to digest themselves.

But surely the print and electronic media is now free and businessmen can read and watch government views and dissenting voices.

Today the business community and its leadership can speak openly without any fear, and they criticise government’s economic policies and its actions.

However, he said it was the responsibility of the press to ensure that matters that affect national integrity, religious freedom and social norms are adhered to.

He said that the government has changed its mindset in the last few years, and now it allows direct criticism both on political and economic fronts from the opposition parties and media representatives.

Former president of Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FPCCI), Chaudry Mohamamd Saeed, said that the business community usually provides their trade grievances directly to the government, but one cannot ignore the role of the press in making any issue more presentable and important to the government.

“Press is now enjoying more freedom as against the freedom it enjoyed seven or eight years back. I think press is publishing everything without any fear, especially in trade and business,” Saeed said.

He said the business community is now focusing on instant TV coverage but print media has its own advantages owing to its in-depth coverage.

He, however, said that scams and frauds in commerce are not reported. Sometimes general public interest is ignored.

He said government bodies, like SECP and other regulatory bodies, hide things with the print media and they appear reluctant to pinpoint any scams.

He added that the print media has helped the business community a lot.

Chairman, Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI), Masood Naqi, feels that the print media has created an awareness on both political and economic issues in recent years. However, he thinks that print and electronic media need more freedom.