Call for mobilising media to overcome disparities

Former Minister for Information and Media Development Javed Jabbar has called for mobilising media to overcome disparities in social, political economic life of the people.
He was representing Pakistan at the three-day 14th AMIC's conference of media representatives from Asian countries, which began here on Monday to suggest ways and means making the media's role more effective in promoting a fair socio-economic order.
The conference hosted by the Communication University of China was also addressed by State Administration of Radio, Film and Television Vice Minister Tian Jin.
The media, he said had to face major challenge of preparing the people to check dangerous impact of rapid population growth and environmental degradation. The growing gap between rich and poor, both at the individual ant countries' level pose another serious threat. That, he warned could continue leading to violence and terrorist acts.
While praising the China's efforts of reducing poverty, Jabbar said the country with fast economic growth, had succeeded to bridge the gap, lifting over 300 million people to level of a middle class.
Jabbar, who is founding chairman of the South Asia Media foundation and founder of Citizen's Media Commission of Pakistan emphasised that conference should focus attention, as how to protect the citizens' rights with regard to conventional media as well as new media, including cable TV distribution systems, audio tapes, video, Internet, CDs and DVDs.
Calling for establishing a global media civil society, he said, "We should enhance the people's capacity to effectively address their relationship with media for building a just and equitable society."
Peoples' Associations and consumers' societies should be formed to focus specifically on issues relating to public interest. They, he added, should also engage in dialogue with media to build a new paradigm of human values.
Since the whole world was emerging as a global village, there was need of strengthening human friendship, promoting respect for each other, he added.
Media, Jabbar stressed should also help in evolving a refined democratic set up, making it less hostage of the majority forces. Democracy, he added should also be made free of political polarisation and partisan approach to achieve ultimate goal of having peaceful and prosperous society.