ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz on Wednesday said ensuring complete freedom of expression provided in the Constitution was the top priority of the government.

He was responding to the Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE) annual report on freedom of media in Pakistan, published in newspapers on February 1.

In a letter written to the CPNE President Arif Nizami on Wednesday, he said contrary to the assertions made in the report even casual reader of the newspapers and viewers of the talk shows would testify that the freedom of expression enjoyed in this country was comparable to that of any western democracy. The safety, security and well being of the mediapersons were closer to our hearts, he added.

He said, “I must add here that the report does not provide any data or iota of evidence in support of the allegations. However, the ministry would continue to work with the journalist bodies includin0g APNS, CPNE, PBA and PFUJ to ensure the steps which the ministry can take to ameliorate the sufferings of the media industry.”

He assured CPNE that the government would take all necessary steps to ensure freedom of press in the country, and to ensure the safety and security of the working journalists.

The minister made parawise comments on the issues raised in CPNE report to set the record straight.

The minister said that CPNE report did not provide any details of the journalists who were either murdered or targeted, and also whether the journalists were targeted by the law and order agencies or otherwise.

Shibli Faraz said the case against Mir Shakilur Rehman was registered by NAB, which was an independent institution.

With regard to job cuts in Radio Pakistan without any prior notice, the minister said as far as private media outlets were concerned, the owners/employers were the relevant persons to ask this question. “As far as the ministry is concerned we have ensured establishment of 8th Wage Board in order to safeguard interests of journalists all over the country. As far as contractual employees of PBC are concerned, we are looking into the issue on case to case basis. I assure you that no one will be removed if the required criterion is fulfilled.”

The report further stated that the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) on several occasions tried to intimidate and control the media.

To this the minister replied that Pemra was an independent electronic media regulatory authority, aimed at safeguarding Pakistan’s socio-cultural norms, and to promote development of electronic media in the country. If any media outlet had any grievance against its action, the courts were available to provide relief.

Published in Dawn, February 4th, 2021