Information Minister Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan rejects impression of media prohibitions

While the media is seemed worried about the upcoming bars, Information Minister Dr. Firdous Ahsiq Awan dispelled the impression that the new laws and regulations that the government is proposing will threaten the freedom of media in the country.

While addressing a news conference, she clarified, “No such rule will be imposed. We will seek consensus from television channel operators and only those points will be included in the final draft at which a consensus has been reached”.

She further stated that the new regulations will build on the traditions of accountability and healthy debate and competition which have been introduced by the media outlets. The minister justified the need for a new policy, saying that regulations need to be updated to reflect the change in needs.

She commented, “In 2002, when there wasn’t a single satellite television channel in Pakistan, a policy was devised. Ten years later, when there are 89 local and 26 foreign channels operating in Pakistan, is there no need to consult again and evolve a new mechanism?”

The minister was of the opinion that the objective of the policy is to curtail all illegal operational mechanism and enforcement of Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) rules. In her view, the prominent feature of the policy will be protection of Pakistan’s sociocultural and religious values and supremacy of national interest.

Awan maintained that there were recommendations on how television channels could help contrive unity among the four provinces, Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). There were also recommendations pertaining to programmes on religion and news and current affairs, she added.

She also stated that the policy touches upon advertisements, privacy and personal data protection. The minister stated that before new licenses can be granted, the capacity of the cable system needs to be upgraded.

Presently, she said, the system works on analogue technology which allows 60 to 65 channels to be operated but 89 channels are being aired.

Awan remarked, “License-holders then complain that cable operators keep switching channels on and off at will. We want to allow channels only when the network has the capacity to operate them. The system is being digitalised and we’re looking at other options like DTH”.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=13935

Posted by Faisal Farooq on Feb 27 2012. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Society. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.