Centralised advertisement policy: Information Ministry rejects APNS's comments

A spokesman of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting on Thursday rejected the comments by the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) regarding centralised advertisement policy. The Spokesman said: "PID has not reformulated the advertisement policy but has just reiterated contents of the existing policy and urged the federal Government Ministries/ Division/Public Sector Organisations for its implementation in letter and spirit."
The APNS itself has been demanding this step in order to curb the tendency of some clients releasing advertisements directly to the media in contravention of the advertisement policy. The Spokesman said, the present government does not believe in arm-twisting of the media. The past four years' track record of the government vindicates this assertion.
It has never used advertisement to curb and control the press as alleged by APNS, the Spokesman said. It is unfortunate to note that the APNS is trying to force the Government to withdraw its advertisement policy, which has been endorsed by successive governments since decades. To term it as dictatorial is highly objectionable as all the major media houses have assumed the status of media tycoons under this advertisement policy.
However, the spokesman said, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting is open to hold a dialogue with APNS and other stakeholders to improve the mechanism for release of public sector advertisements. The Spokesman expressed the hope that instead of urging the government to abdicate its legitimate right of releasing advertisements as per policy, the APNS should ensure implementation of Wage Board Award, issuance of proper appointment letters and timely payment of salaries to the working journalists and media employees.