ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi reassured media workers and the journalist community of his backing for the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) Amendment Bill 2023. He affirmed his support during a meeting held with delegations representing various media bodies.
Last week, the bill received approval from both the upper and lower houses of parliament after the federal government withdrew it due to concerns raised by journalist associations. The then-Information Minister, Marriyum Aurangzeb, introduced the bill in the Senate. She later presented it in the National Assembly, emphasizing that amendments to the bill had been incorporated with input from all stakeholders.
During a meeting with a delegation representing various media bodies including the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ), All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) at Aiwan-e-Sadr, President Alvi affirmed his support.
He praised the collaborative efforts of the media community in amending the Pemra law, particularly in safeguarding the rights of media workers. President Alvi highlighted the importance of linking government advertisements with the payment of dues to electronic media employees as a means to address their issues.
He acknowledged the positive changes brought about by the amendment bill in the existing media law. He encouraged the members of the delegation to proactively educate the youth about the consequences of fake news and disinformation. Furthermore, he pointed out that teenagers were particularly susceptible to the effects of misinformation.
President Alvi advocates for Responsible Journalism
President Alvi suggested that senior journalists should establish stronger ties with academia and universities to guide and educate students about the evolving field of journalism. He emphasized the importance of promoting diversity of thought and fostering open dialogue in society.
Regarding new forms of media, especially social media, he stressed the need for media to take responsibility in educating people about ethical use and responsible behavior on these platforms. The delegation offered the president insights into the bill’s provisions aimed at benefiting the journalist community and media employees. They also expressed gratitude for his support in addressing media-related issues.
