KARACHI, June 17: Citizens’ Media Dialogue — a book written by former information minister Javed Jabbar and sponsored by the Unesco, and a website, “www.wiredet.com/cmd”, were launched at a meeting here on Friday.

Speaking on the occasion, the author said that the book and the website aimed to help build a people-centred information society in which citizens’ media associations facilitate people’s participation and interaction with; and through quality electronic media, particularly public service broadcasting, community radio and multi-media centres.

He said that the book and the website would help people in developing countries engage in dialogue with electronic media and the media as a whole.

He said that versions of the text could be produced in future in Pakistani languages so that a larger number of people could benefit from it.

He hoped that individuals and groups in other developing countries would use all or part of the text on the website to produce versions in their own languages.

He said that media, particularly the electronic media, was not allocating enough time for public service broadcasting to air public service messages on issues like environment, population, health through programmes or free or subsidized advertisements.