ISLAMABAD: Minister of State for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Marriyum Aurangzeb Tuesday said government was committed to facilitate media industry as it considers that democracy and independence of media go hand in hand.
She stated this during a meeting with a delegation of All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), which called on her here.
Expressing her resolve and commitment to freedom of expression she said that the democratic government could never think of accepting any bar on free speech and peoples' right to hold and express their opinion.
She also urged upon media to continue to play its vital role in further strengthening democracy and nurturing democratic values and norms in the society.
She said that the government would make all possible efforts to support the growth of an independent media and resolve the issues of working journalists, adding that the government would soon introduce journalists' safety and security bill and share its initial draft with all stakeholders and media representative bodies at the earliest.
She also emphasized upon the need of robust connection and liaison between government and media particularly with reference to the training and professional development of media persons and workers.
The members of delegation of APNS discussed their various issues and problems, particularly with reference to the increase of rates of advertisement and their outstanding dues.
The minister assured her full support to the delegation regarding the resolution of their problems.
She said the government would soon notify the rate of increase in government advertisement for the newspapers.
She also agreed to the suggestion of allocating separate advertisement budget for the print, electronic and the digital media.
She reiterated that the Ministry of Information would continue its efforts for the betterment of media industry and work with them for the achievement of free and responsible media.
Marriyum Aurangzeb also appreciated the role of print media and hoped that it would continue its positive role in promoting democratic values and positive image of Pakistan.
Principal Information Officer Rao Tehsin Ali Khan and other senior officials of Press Information Department were also present in the meeting.
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