KARACHI, May 4: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) has criticized the government for substantially reducing its advertisements to a number of newspapers which had published a supplement on a political personality. A meeting of the CPNE, presided by its president Arif Nizami, said that the substantial reduction in the Punjab government’s advertisements to several newspapers was a serious blow to freedom of the press. It was observed that the action had exposed the hollowness of the government’s claims about freedom of the press.

The CPNE also adopted a resolution asking the Punjab government to restore advertisements of the newspapers.

The CPNE also reviewed UNICEF’s report on good governance and the role of media and stressed that transparency and accountability were essential for good governance. Secretary-General, CPNE, Dr Jabbar Khatak was asked to present his recommendations in this regard in the next meeting.