Memon assures conditional removal of bar on TV channel
Geo spokesman says code of conduct signing has never been a problem; Pemra to be contacted again on invitation of minister
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Nisar A. Memon Thursday said that Pakistan’s nuclear assets are properly managed and all the governments have taken a good care of them.
“We are proud of our nuclear assets which are in safe hands. These assets are properly managed and all the governments have taken a good care of these,” he said while addressing the inaugural session of a daylong APP National Conclave here.
“President Musharraf has the credit of freeing the media and introducing private television and radio channels. Now there are more than 50 television channels and around 100 radio channels operating freely,” he said and added that each freedom does carry responsibilities and so does the media freedom.
“Every institution needs laws and regulations for proper functioning. Media freedom also carries some laws to abide by. Besides the freedom laws, there are Pemra laws and defamation law with an aim to safeguard the rights of the people and institutions. The media has to follow the code of conduct as this would bring in more responsible and authentic media,” he said.
He said that all channels, except one, were on air now as they were following the code of conduct. The remaining channel can also start functioning if its authorities follow the rules, which are being followed by all other media institutions, he added.
“I invite the authorities of the specific television channel to come and hold talks. I also urge the media bodies to come forth and table their proposals for amending the code of conduct and other issues,” the minister said, pointing out that the government had not introduced any new law regarding the media.
To a question on alleged bar on live coverage, the minister said there was no such bar. However, he said there were laws to delay the live coverage only for some moments so as any unethical words or obscene scenes could be avoided.
“Pakistani media is enjoying unprecedented freedom. Those who are delivering lectures to us on media freedom should also consider their rules and regulations,” he said.
The minister said the government would take all necessary steps to facilitate the Election Commission for holding the general elections on time and asked the media to point out any negligence on the part of the government in this regard. He said despite the emergency proclamation, the democratic institutions had been functioning as normal and holding general elections on time was strengthening the democracy.
The minister said the caretaker government would fully assist the Election Commission, as this was its prerogative to hold the elections. He said it was essential for the political leadership to introduce democracy within their political parties as it provided the basis for a democratic system. He said the PCO would be withdrawn on December 15 and the Constitution would be restored.
Our correspondent adds: When Geo management was approached for a response to the minister’s offer, a spokesman for the Geo TV said that the minister had also extended such an invitation a few days ago and the Geo management had contacted the Pemra. He said the Pemra had said that they had still not received any such order.
He said Pemra would be contacted once again in view of the latest statement of the minister. He said that signatures on the code of conduct had never been their problem. However, he said, they considered it illegal and immoral because the Pemra Act 2002 contains the code of conduct. Moreover, he added, the November 3 amendment to the ordinance also spoke of the code of conduct.
Pemra’s new restrictions condemned
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) condemned Pemra’s open threat to the media regarding political content being transmitted on the limited number of TV channels currently allowed on air.
In a statement here on Wednesday, PPP Information Secretary Sherry Rehman said that the Pemra has always acted as a thinly disguised tool to manipulate the media.
She warned the Pemra against using its latest allegations against the media as an excuse to ban the small number of television channels currently on air. “The PPP will not allow Pemra to play with the people’s right to information. The Pemra should not only back off, it should remove all obstructions in the way of the transmission of popular TV channels such as Geo,” she added.
She said slapping penalties for airing ‘anti Pakistan content’ has long been a favoured tactic with the regime that has completely lost sight of ground realities. “Everybody knows that the ban imposed on media organisations by General (r) Pervez Musharraf was unconstitutional and even when the regime has allowed the channels back on air, it has sliced off all productions that it viewed with suspicion,” she added.
She said that the amended Pemra Ordinance-2007 is nothing more than a piece of paper and has no constitutional value for Pemra to expect the media organisations to abide by it.
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