October 22, 2008	Wednesday	Shawwal 22, 1429

PESHAWAR, Oct 21: The ANP-led provincial government is launching a special project to monitor media and tell its version of day-to-day happenings, it is learnt.

NWFP Chief Minister Ameer Haider Khan Hoti had principally approved the Media and Monitoring Project and directed for devising its PC-I prior to formal execution, an official told Dawn.

The need of initiating a separate project, said the official, was felt in the wake of recent media blitz, as the government has no arrangements for objective evaluation and articulation of the government’s side of the story.

NWFP Information Department is responsible for compiling, coordinating and disseminating objective information on issues confronting the government but practically its role is confined to individuals’ publicity that has damaged its credibility, says a note forwarded to the chief minister for approval few days ago.

The proposal for the said project has raised eyebrows in the official circles, as many believe that the initiative is unlikely to make any difference rather it will eat up millions of funds of the cash-starved province, which drives 90 per cent resources from outside.

NWFP government has spent Rs61.09 million on the functioning of Provincial Information Department in the last financial year. An amount of Rs54.749 million has been allocated in the current budget, which will surpass the last year actual spending by end of fiscal on account of salaries and allowances.

“If the information department with over 35 information officers is unable to disseminate the government’s version on a particular issue and highlight its policies properly, how it can be achieved through a project with ad hoc arrangement,” questioned an official, adding that focus should be on strengthening of the existing institutions instead of overlapping.

According to the note, which merely consists of high-sounding words, the project will undertake activities for image boosting, countering anti-government propaganda, producing write-ups and scripts for the print and electronic media and produce briefs for the decision makers on major issues.

This whole task will be undertaken by a five member team including a project director, to be assisted by one each publicity officers and media professionals, who will be hired from the market.

The project director will be the overall head of the proposed project, whereas special publicity officer-I will be responsible for producing material for print and electronic media and conducting research to produce briefs on major issues.

Likewise, special publicity officer-II will be responsible for counter-propaganda and liaison with the press. Both the officers will be supported by two media professionals, to be hired on fixed salaries, the note says.