Legislation for journalists’ protection afoot: Maryam

LAHORE: State Minister for Information Maryam Aurangzeb has said the incumbent government is giving due attention to safety and training of journalists and for this purpose relevant legislation would be made soon. 

Speaking at a program “Meet the Press” here at Lahore Press Club Friday, the minister said a draft of legislation for protection and capacity building of journalists was being prepared and it would be shared with all the press clubs and media houses before its approval. 

LPC President Shahbaz Mian, Vice President Majeed Sajid, Secretary Shadab Riaz, members of Governing Body and senior journalists were present on the occasion. 

Highlighting her newly job as state minister, Maryam said her party has entrusted her with heavy responsibility in the prevailing tough political situation of the country but she would do her best to do justice with her job. 

She said wage board award would also be made part of the proposed legislation to permanently address this issue. Implementation of the wage board award is also responsibility of media house owners, she said. 

Furthermore, Maryam Aurangzeb said transparency has been remained at the highest point of her government that’s why they have introduced the right-to-information laws to facilitate journalist. She said her government was also undertaking certain steps to improve working conditions of female journalist. 

Earlier, Shahbaz Mian welcomed the state minister and hoped that she would address issues of journalist community at the earliest.