Govt has endorsed 95% proposals of commission, says Marvi Memon

Islamabad
Government has endorsed the 90 to 95 per cent recommendation of the report of Media Commission which calls for radical reforms needed in the media industry, said Chairperson National Assembly Standing Committee on Information Broadcasting and National Heritage Marvi Memon, here on Wednesday.
She was speaking at the launch of the second edition of ‘Report and Recommendations of the Media Commission’ appointed by the Supreme Court of Pakistan in 2013. The event was organised by German foundation Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. “Ministry of Information has also worked on the report but implementation would require effort of all the stakeholders,” she added.
Considering the importance of building common narrative on extremism and terrorism in the society, Marvi stressed the need to immediately form a consultative body which includes all stakeholders from media, government and civil society. She recommended the Commission to suggest ways and means of keeping control on social media.
Marvi said that security of journalists must concern all stakeholders. She said that it is the collective responsibility of media organisations and the government to provide security to journalists who risk their lives while breaking news.
She said that the country is passing through critical phase and the role of media has become very important at this juncture. “Pakistani media is entering into a new era and it should know all the prerequisites of this time to effectively cope with the challenges,” she added.
Media Commission Member Senator Javed Jabbar, Society for Alternative Media and Research Executive Director Mazhar Arif, FES Pakistan Resident Director Philipp Kauppert and others also spoke on the occasion.
They said that social media has gained prominence but it is not a substitute to print media which is far more responsible as compared to social media.
Speakers called for improved self-censorship, feedback, ethics and language which is getting weaker while corporate interests are getting importance in some media houses.
Editors, reporters, anchors and members of civil society criticised certain policies regarding media and demanded that PEMRA should be an independent institution.
Leading journalists, anchors, editors, representatives of NGOs also participated in the event and raised many interesting questions during the open debate. They lauded the recommendations and asked for implementation.
They said that government should immediately implement the recommendations of the report to make media more effective, responsible and according to aspirations of the masses.
The organisers thanked all the 166 individuals from 81 organizations from both the public and private sectors for benefiting the commission with their respective views, information and suggestions.