Islamabad, February 17, 09: The Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting
Ms Sherry Rehman met the
delegation of the Pakistan
Broadcasters Association
in Islamabad today. The
Delegation headed by the
PBA President Salman Iqbal
briefed the Minister on
the progress of the code
of conduct being prepared
by the Association. The
PBA is a representative
body of private sector
broadcasters in the country.
Talking to the Delegation,
the Federal Information
Minister said that the
PPP Government's stress
on a self-regulatory order
for Pakistan's media is
to ensure the creation
of a sound, responsible
and accountable media
environment that delivers
on public interest. "Being
a democratic government,
we are deeply invested
in strengthening all institutions
that contribute to a healthy
democracy."
Ms Sherry Rehman said
that the PBA's commitment
to develop a code of conduct
to regulate media content
and broader aspects of
its operations will go
a long way in delivering
the benefits of information
era to the public. "As
an elected government,
we are faced with public's
expectations for the establishment
of mechanisms to address
the issues of misuse of
media's power, and violation
of public's right to informed
decision-making. And while
we remain committed to
oblige the public's mandate,
we stress media's involvement
in the process as there
is need for a culture
of responsibility and
accountability in information
management. By allowing
the media to take the
lead in the exercise,
the government aims to
ensure that it remains
invested in the regulatory
order and follows the
policy direction guided
by the ideals of public
interest and welfare."
The PBA Delegation assured
the Information Minister
of their efforts to draw
the code of conduct incorporating
the participation of all
media organisations for
a consensus-driven policy
framework. The Information
Minister urged the PBA
to take into account the
emerging and future challenges
related to media both
in the national and international
domain to ensure a quick
and adequate response
to the constant changes
in the media environment.