May 3, is a date that celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom — a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide. At the same time it is a reminder to governments of the need to facilitate freedom of expression rather than curbing and discouraging facts.
But besides all the above, it is also a day to reflect upon the role and responsibility of the media in general. For years and years the electronic media in Pakistan continued to churn out what they considered to be the best possible ideas regarding “national development”. Broadcasting the “good” policies of the government at the time and applauding their every effort, however, futile and off target. Today, thanks to the privatization, media scenario has changed drastically. Media can reach out to the people in the remotest of areas, talking about people’s issues in people’s language. Stories of gang rape, traumas of victims, honour killings, child sexual abuse or even people living with HIV/AIDS are reaching the masses. These are stories of the real world which people have the right to know. It is time for media to wake up to its responsibility as an agent of social change.
“Media and Good Governance” was the title of a panel discussion to celebrate World Press Freedom Day, jointly organized by the Allama Iqbal Open University and the UN agencies, Islamabad. Experts from Pakistani media organizations included senior editors such as Khalid Akhter, M. Ziauddin, Qatrina Hossain, Ashfaque Gondal, Talat Hussain, Hamid Mir and Afzal Bajwa. The panel of Pakistani media gurus spoke on laws curbing freedom of expression, victimization of journalists, press ordinances, access to information between media and government and protection and safety of journalists who are persecuted, attacked, imprisoned and murdered and paid tributes to journalists who dies in the execution of their duties. A lively, questions and answers session moderated by Muhammad Malick; panelists touched on various issues such as the freedom of expression, the relationship between the government and the media, the responsibility of the state in promoting pluralistic media, abduction of journalists, democratic reporting and the scope of students in mass communication in their future profession.
The common consensus was that a weak parliament and judiciary were the main obstacles in freedom of expression. Experts contended that the media can act as a strong pillar only if the other supporting pillars of the state like the government, parliament and judiciary and that the freedom of expression in Pakistan remains in circles. There are circles where there is freedom, whereas, there are areas where press is non-existent.
Minister for Information, Sheikh Rashid Ahmed, defended the government’s policy towards media, saying “There is complete freedom of expression in Pakistan.” He added that the freedom, which the government has given to the media in Pakistan, does not exist in any country in the region. Curbs, he said, laid down on media are for the protection of national interest.
Book Fair
The culture of lending books from libraries is fast diminishing as there are no new libraries and the ones formed are out of approach of a common man. Old libraries from British era have been demolished and replaced by commercial plazas because of their prime locations. Poet, Ahmed Faraz, Managing Director, National Book Foundation, shared his concerns on the demise of libraries while opening a Book Fair at the main office of the Foundation.
Internet, computer and the price of books has affected the reading habits of people. But there are people — avid readers, who still buy books although they cannot afford to buy meat and vegetables. The subsidy offered to the public ranges from ten to ninety per cent, “People do read books and in the absence of libraries, they buy,” Faraz explained the increase in sale of books at the NBF Book Fairs held in the 22 branches all over the country. About 400,000 books were been put on display, with the aim ‘to promote reading habit’.
The NBF Readers Club scheme has become very popular as it allows members to buy books worth Rs2000 for half the price. In this age of inflation it an opportunity to be cashed. “One day I received a letter from Sahiwal, the writer asking why wasn’t his city included. Are we not a part of Pakistan?” said Faraz.
Earlier limited to five cities of the country, has now been introduced in 22 branches in different cities. The club has over 16000 members, 6400 in Islamabad alone.
May 3, is a date that celebrates the fundamental principles of press freedom; to defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. It serves as an occasion to inform citizens of violations of press freedom — a reminder that in dozens of countries around the world, publications are censored, fined, suspended and closed, while journalists, editors and publishers are harassed, attacked, detained and even murdered. It is a date to encourage and develop initiatives in favour of press freedom, and to assess the state of press freedom worldwide. At the same time it is a reminder to governments of the need to facilitate freedom of expression rather than curbing and discouraging facts.
