Govt believes in free media : Qamar Zaman Kaira

Lahore: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Saturday said the government believed in free media and all out efforts are being made to ensure better working atmosphere for newsmen.

He said “We believe in freedom of media and are taking all possible measures to ensure the welfare and better working conditions for media workers.”

The Information Minister held out the assurance in a meeting with the delegation of newly-formed Desk Editors Forum Lahore at the Governor’s House.

Prime Minister’s Adviser Chaudhry Aslam Gill, DEFL President Aslam Chaudhry and other PPP leaders were also present on the occasion.
The Information Minister said “I have always advocated the cause of journalists’ community and people working in various sections of newspapers or television.”

Earlier, DEFL President Chaudhry Aslam briefed the Federal Minister about the problems and dismal working conditions of sub-editors.

He said sub-editors/desk editors do the real job and make a news item publishable by editing/refining its text and facts but despite being over 65 percent of total mediapersons, they were still being ignored and unheard.He said for the first time in Pakistan’s media history, the DEFL initiative was taken from Lahore with a prime objective of striving and securing the rights of people working in the newsroom. The forum has now more than 600 members, he added.

On request of the DEFL, the Federal Information Minister assured them of his participation the oath-taking ceremony of Forum’s office-bearers after Eidul Azha.

The Minister also assured them of all possible support to resolve problems and improving their working conditions.