ISLAMABAD: The information ministry has a key role in perception management and projecting the country’s true image, Prime Minister Imran Khan said during a briefing at the PM Office on Wednesday.

“Keeping up with the pace of a highly sophisticated world of information today, we must safeguard our society from a cultural onslaught that endangers our cultural values, norms and the social fabric,” observed the prime minister.

Information Secretary Sardar Ahmed Nawaz Sukhera gave a presentation regarding the functions of the ministry and its attached departments. The briefing dwelt at length on the affairs of state media broadcasters, including the Pakistan Television Corporation and the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation.

Prime Minister Imran Khan stressed the need for maintaining impartiality and ordered constitution of a board of directors comprising eminent, honest professionals to oversee administrative and financial affairs of these organisations.

The prime minister called for preparation of a plan for restructuring of PTV in order to transform the organisation from a loss-making entity to a viable body.

Meanwhile, the Pakistan Electronic Regulatory Authority issued instructions to all satellite TV channels on Wednesday to review their entertainment and news content in accordance with the Electronic Media Code of Conduct 2015.

The authority asked television channels not to dramatise news items based on crime, sexual abuse and accidents. Entertainment channels have been advised to uphold social, Islamic and ethical values of Pakistani society in their programmes.

Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2018