No plans to stifle country’s media : Pak IB minister

ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Information and Broadcasting Minister Qamar Zaman Kaira has rejected reports that the government is planning to stifle the country’s media through a bill which would be tabled in the National Assembly soon.

Speaking during a function of the South Asia Free Media Association (SAFMA), Kaira said that during previous regimes several tactics were used to twist the arms of the media, but the present Gilani government believes in freedom of expression.

“The present regime has made freedom of expression as part of the constitution, and related legislation would be done very soon to implement it,” The Dawn quoted Kaira, as saying.

According to reports, the government is in the process of finalising a regulation under which the television channels would be barred from showing images or programmes on suicide bombings, terrorists or the bodies of victims of terror attacks, and such other related material.

It would also prohibit statements from Islamist militants and any acts, which promote, aid or abet terrorist or terrorism. The media industry also has to assure the government that none of its programmes will promote hatred or militancy.

Kaira stressed that the media was playing a very ‘crucial’ role in the ongoing fight against terrorism.

He said that continued dictatorial regimes had hit the country hard, and the masses should now join hands to work together for the country’s prosperity.

“We should end our attitudes of struggle and movement and join hand for bringing progress and prosperity to the country,” Kaira said. (ANI)