Press freedom essential for strengthening democracy: PM

LAHORE: Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani on Sunday said freedom of the press was essential for strengthening democracy in the country.

"The PPP-led government has extended unprecedented freedom to the press which was not given by any government in the past," he said speaking at an oath-taking ceremony of Lahore Press Club at Aiwan-e-Iqbal.

He said PPP governments had always provided freedom to all in the country without discrimination and had never imposed restrictions on media institutions.

Acknowledging the role of journalists against dictatorial and autocratic regimes in the country, he said their sacrifices for the freedom of expression and social liberties had paved the way for rejuvenated democracy in the country.

He said there was close similarity between PPP struggles for the restoration of democracy and media's campaign for freedom of expression in the country.

Democracy and the media go hand in hand and freedom of the media guarantees sustained and stable democracy, he added.

Gilani said that the government had fulfilled its commitment by cancelling all 'black laws' of the dictator, which were imposed to curtail media freedom.

He said the amendments, introduced in the PEMRA Ordinance-2002 and Press Laws-2007 had been revoked and no hurdle in the freedom of expression would be tolerated.

He said the bill introduced by former information minister Sherry Rehman would ensure that people could get right to information through the media.

The Prime Minister said the government had ensured financial and moral support to families of mediapersons who lost their lives in terrorist incidents.

He said an Endowment Fund of Rs 200 million had been established for the welfare of journalists and their families who sacrified their lives in the line of duty.

He said the Information Ministry had finalized regulations to operate the fund by taking all stakeholders on board.

About the establishment of a judicial commission to investigate the murder of Saleem Shahzad, he said the government was providing full assistance to the commission, and added its recommendations would be implemented.

Gilani said that the government had always responded positively to criticism by the media and had never banned any TV channel.

The Prime Minister said the government wanted cordial relations with mediapersons and it would continue to improve their working conditions.

He directed the Information Minister to activate the Press Council established in 2002 and make it an independent and impartial body, and said the council would compete with such international organisations.

Gilani expressed his commitment that the country would be made prosperous, enlightened and a democratic state as visualised by Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Allama Iqbal, Zulfikar Ali Bhutto and Shaheed Mohtrama Banazir Bhutto.

The Prime Minister appreciated the political leadership of the country for expressing unity by participating in the All Parties Conference (APC) and added the National Assembly Speaker had been asked to ensure implementation of the resolutions passed by the APC.

Copyright APP (Associated Press of Pakistan), 2011