Beginning with abolishing the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) 'black laws' introduced by the last authoritarian regime in November 2007, the People's Government has encouraged the democratic dissent of media, despite some ethical causalities.
Instead of going for any 'content policing', the Government has mobilised the media to introduce a voluntary Code of Conduct, and encouraged self-regulation by the media industry, working journalists and media organisations.
Resultantly, there is a growing realisation among the media community to develop some mechanism of internal accountability to remain objective, balanced and non-partisan in editorial policies. It is believed now that the viability of democratic political system lies in a democratic media, which gives multiple perspectives and interpretations to multiple issues representing a diversity of public opinion.
Elaborating the current context, Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira, has outlined the contours of the People's Government's media policy
"We are confronted with a war of ideas - tolerance vs. extremism, democracy vs. authoritarianism, rule of law vs. anarchy, heterogeneity vs. homogeneity and exclusivity vs. multiplicity. In this war, Pakistan's vulnerable population segments are exposed to the message of terrorists, becoming fodder for their sinister recruiting techniques.
'Pakistan is now a functioning democracy confronted by the vestiges of information warfare, which indoctrinated our youth who have become today's suicide bombers, whereas, our goal is to put information to the service of people's empowerment, welfare, and prosperity.' Federal Minister for Information & Broadcasting, Qamar Zaman Kaira
A media policy for the people:
The People's Government's media policy is founded on the fundamental rights enshrined in Article 9 and Article 19 of the Constitution of Pakistan. Article 9 of the Constitution states that 'no person shall be deprived of life or liberty, save in accordance with the law. It further states that 'every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the Press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of Court, [commission of] or incitement to an offence.
The above constitutional clause emphasises the need for responsible freedom within the parameters of statehood, pre-empting any anarchist tendencies in the name of freedom of press. On the basis of these principles of our law, the People's Government has set for itself a definitive policy framework, which it has been implementing since coming to power in 2008.
Creating a new social discourse:
The cornerstones of the People's Government's media policy are:
-- To promote responsible freedom of the media;
-- To promote growth, development and facilitation of the media;
-- To promote access to information for every citizen of Pakistan;
-- To create understanding about issues confronting Pakistan in the region and to provide enabling atmosphere to conduct political, economic and strategic diplomacy for promoting the national interests of the country;
-- To bridge the perception gap between the people of Pakistan and its elected representatives;
-- To promote cohesion among the functionaries of various Government institutions to provide quality policy input to conduct Statecraft;
-- To promote inter-provincial harmony amongst the federating units giving hope and confidence to the people;
-- To promote Pakistan's political and public diplomacy abroad;
-- To provide support to our diplomatic moorings to promote Pakistan as a peaceful responsible and tolerant country desiring peace in the region and the world;
-- To fight terrorism in all its forms and manifestations;
-- To encourage national conversation and social dialogue with all stakeholders on the promotion of peace and pluralism in Pakistan;
-- To promote inter-faith harmony and religious tolerance in the democratic polity;
-- To provide diplomatic support to the people of Kashmir for their right of self-determination enshrined in the UN Security Council resolutions;
-- To seek co-operation of international media in our efforts to promote Pakistan's democratic institutions to play a role in the promotion of economic, social and political values across the social landscape of the country; and
-- To provide public policy support to defeat poverty and raise the standards of living of the people of Pakistan.
"The press and electronic media will be allowed its independence.
Access to information will become law after parliamentary debate and public scrutiny."
Article 14, Charter of Democracy
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