Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: The Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) expressed grave concerns on Wednesday over the security and safety issues faced by the editors and journalists across the country.

CPNE President Arif Nizami headed standing committee meeting passed a resolution that said that journalists and editors feel insecure, therefore they have adopted self-censorship.

In the resolution, it was suggested that all the affected editors contact with the CPNE so that a way out could be found with mutual consensus. Moreover, grave concerns were expressed regarding issues and threats faced by media in Balochistan. Meanwhile, it was said that the unannounced censorship in Balochistan has put a question mark on democratic standards and free, fair and impartial elections in the province. The recent ransacking of Marvi Sirmed’s house and attacks on Asad Kharal and Gul Bukhari and other journalists were condemned, while the committee also expressed solidarity with the affected journalists. While addressing the editors, Information Minister Ali Zafar said that the interim government believes in free, fair, and impartial elections.

He further said that the democracy in Pakistan faces serious hurdles, adding that due to increased inequality, political and sectarian intolerance, forged and fake news and publication of self made news has also damaged the democratic standards in the country.

“Impartial, ethical and free media is the need of hour to play its monumental role in conducting free, fair and transparent elections,” he reiterated. He further said that the media and masses should talk about the election manifesto of the political parties and the prevalent economic condition of the country. On this occasion, the Information Minister approved the long standing demand of CPNE and approved the increase in the registration time period of newspapers from 3 years to 5 years and approved the ABC certification time period till 3 years.

Moreover, he said that the committee will be formed to overview the rates of newspapers with respect to consumer price Index (CPI). He also assured to resolve the problems of journalists and editors immediately.

While praising the struggle of CPNE, the minister said that CPNE is the only organization for print media that struggles for the betterment of journalists, newspapers and media.

CPNE president Arif Nizami said that independent media is crucial to strengthened democracy, while intolerance will lead to anarchy putting adverse affects on upcoming general elections. The structure of CPNE was also discussed in the session. Nizami, Secretary General Dr. Jabbar Khattak, Vice President Ikran Sehgal, Ayaz Khan, Rahmat Ali, Tahir Farooque, Arif Baloch, and Information Secretary Adnan Malik attended the session.

Published in Daily Times, June 28^th 2018.