Economic package: APNS asks PM to include payment of Rs6 billion media dues

ISLAMABAD: The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) Monday called upon Prime Minister Imran Khan to include payment of media dues in his relief package scheduled to be announced today (Tuesday), says a press release.

APNS President Hameed Haroon and Secretary General Sarmad Ali appealed to the prime minister to instruct the federal and Punjab and KP provincial governments to release the advertising dues of the media amounting to approximately Rs6 billion, on priority basis to enable the crisis-ridden media industry to effectively play its role in creating awareness about Covid-19 and combatting fake news.

The APNS office-bearersstated in their statement that newspapers are an authentic source of information and in these trying times when things are spinning out of control they are an essential tool to combat fake news and rumour mongering. They requested the premier to announce this as part of the relief package that he intends to announce today.

The newspaper industry is going through an acute financial crisis due to a cut in government advertising and delay in payments of advertising dues, they said. The Covid-19 is likely to further aggravate this crisis. The gesture of the prime minister to clear the advertising dues will enable newspapers to play their due role in helping the government to fight against the pandemic crisis.