Good news for media workers before Eid: Shibli Faraz

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Senator Shibli Faraz Sunday said it would be his priority to play the role of a bridge between the govt and the media. The minister said he would have a meeting with representatives of journalist tomorrow (Tuesday) to find a viable solution to their problems and clearance of ‘vital dues’ before Eidul Fitr.

He held out an assurance to the protesting media persons outside the Parliament House that the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government would take all possible measures for resolution of their financial problems. He vowed to play role of the media industry’s advocate in relation to their genuine issues to find a durable way out.

Shibli Faraz was speaking to the participants of the sit-in, organised in front of the Parliament House to also mark the World Press Freedom Day. The minister said he just could not even think of going against the media’s interests. The minister said he knew many journalists had not been paid for months now and addressing this issue would be the most important point for him.

The minister acknowledged the fact that journalism was a noble and very important profession keeping in view its role in the political and social culture. He made mention of the media’s proactive role during the movement of PTI and Imran Khan and said media is now playing a proactive part in the fight against coronavirus, besides doctors, nurses and health workers.

Senator Shibli said the media’s role in the ongoing fight against coronavirus was appreciable and like doctors and paramedical staff, the media persons were front line soldiers in the war against the virus.

The media workers, he said, had also been facing financial hardships for quite some time. However, he assured the participants of the sit-in that he would meet their representatives in a couple of days and their problems would be addressed on priority i.e. same day, otherwise, he would be joining them.

The minister expressed hope that there would be good news for them before Eidul Fitr that major chunk of their outstanding salaries was paid. The minister pointed out that he had visited the sit-in to express solidarity with them and to get information about the problems being faced by media workers.

“The media persons remained in the forefront of PTI’s struggle against the status quo and its government would never let them down. I will be your advocate and not judge with regard to your welfare and well-being,” he remarked.

He said he himself belonged to a literary family. As his father was related to the pen profession, he considered himself part of that tribe, so he could not think of going against the interests of that profession.

The minister noted that some of the speeches delivered at the venue gave the impression that the government was acting too stone-heartedly, but the difference between the incumbent and prior regimes had been that Prime Minister Imran Khan, in his heart, had always stood with those who were economically challenged. However, he clarified that by no means were journalists weak in any sense of the word.

“He is working for those suffering financially and there have been some parties criticising him for that because this is the first prime minister who has stood with the economically challenged group,” he said.

Shibli Faraz said Prime Minister Imran Khan after coming into government took practical measures for the welfare of vulnerable segments of the society facing financial constraints. He said the government appreciated the constructive criticism by the media as the watchdog, which was helpful in improving governance. He expressed the hope that the media would also highlight the constructive and positive steps taken by the government.

The minister clarified that the ad quota of regional newspapers was intact, saying he would try his best to resolve the media industry’s genuine issues and would like a better environment.

Former interior minister and PPP Senator Abdul Rehman Malik also turned up to show solidarity with media persons and spoke on the occasion, he acknowledged the sacrifices rendered by journalists in the war against the menace of terrorism in the country. “Journalists have given sacrifices before us and we see them doing their duties during bomb blasts. The PPP stands by journalists and we will let any injustice done to you,” he said. He maintained that his party would strive fully for the press freedom at every forum. He requested the information minister to announce a special relief package for journalists in the backdrop of the virus.

Earlier, journalists, representative of leading journalist bodies and representatives of various press clubs also spoke and expressed concern over the present state of affairs of the media industry. Chants also echoed before the Parliament House for immediate release of the Editor-in-Chief of the Jang ad Geo Group Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman. Those, who spoke on the occasion, included Nasir Zaidi, CR Shamsi, Fauzia Shahid, Hamid Mir, Afzal Butt. They said that it had become even more evident now that MSR’s arrest was an issue of press freedom. Demands were made in connection with the World Press Freedom Day, which include:

1- Withdrawal of announced and unannounced ban and press advices placed on media. 2- Immediate restoration of retrenched journalists and payment/clearance of dues pending with government and media houses. 3- Law for services structure in TV channels. 4- Abolition of all the laws and regulations devised and designed to erode and compromise media and press freedom. 5- Restoration of 25% fixed quota for regional newspapers and abolition of centralised policy. 6- Immediate implementation of Wage Board Award and 7- Relief package for media workers effected by COVID-19.

In addition to these demands, the PFUJ also stressed the government to immediately release Jang and Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman whose detention in a 34 years old property case is apparently an attempt to gag and control mainstream media.

“Currently due to highhandedness and arm twisting tactics Pakistan is losing credibility across the world due to deteriorating media freedom in the country and further saw decline on media freedom index globally,” the PFUJ said in a statement.

“The glaring example of arm twisting is detention of Jang/Geo Group Editor-in-Chief Mir Shakil-ur-Rahman by the National Accountability Bureau in a 34 years old property case,” the PFUJ said.

On the Press Freedom Day, the PFUJ showed concern on deteriorating media freedom and direct life threats to journalists and some top anchors, just to malign them into controversies by using dirty tricks and social media by posting image and photographs of female family members with abusive and threatening hashtags.