QUETTA, May 3 Balochistan Assembly Speaker Muhammad Aslam Bhootani said on Sunday that the government should not impose censorship on the media in the name of national security and let the media enjoy freedom. However, he added, the freedom should be exercised keeping in view requirements of national security and dignity of the country.

Addressing a seminar to mark the World Press Freedom Day organised by the Balochistan Union of Journalists, Mr Bhootani said that rulers declared journalists who criticised their policies as anti-state without differentiating between the government and the state.

He said the electronic media was playing a significant role in opinion formation. Mr Bhootani said the role of the print media was equally important and it had not lost its impact despite the information revolution brought about by the electronic media.

He said that press did not enjoy absolute freedom in any part of the world because of certain traditions and internal security requirements.—APP