September 01, 2008	Monday	Sha'aban 29, 1429

ISLAMABAD, Aug 31: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman said the government was considering a proposal to initiate a housing scheme for journalists in Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Talking to a group of reporters here on Sunday, she said the government was sensitive to the needs of the journalists’ community. “We are working on schemes to facilitate housing for journalists in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi. Such schemes could also be extended to other cities,” she said.

Ms Rehman said fierce competition in the media industry had resulted in imbalances and irregularities in salary structures and working conditions.

“Financial and economic security is linked to independent journalism. There is a great divide between packages offered to journalists at different levels in a single organisation and the resultant financial constraint leads to stress. These factors tend to compromise the quality of journalistic output,” she noted.

Ms Rehman said the government, on its part, was duty-bound to protect the interests of the journalists’ community. Terming the media an important pillar of democracy, she said the government was committed to considering all legitimate demands of the media.

“We are also open to assisting the media for improving their working conditions. We believe a stronger democracy is tied to a stronger media and we are willing to facilitate the media in all areas to strengthen the institution.”