The All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has welcomed the observation of President General Pervez Musharraf wherein he has admitted that the national press was playing a positive and responsible role in matters relating to fight against terrorism.
This was stated in an APNS statement issued here on Tuesday. It pointed out that the executive committee of the APNS which met in Lahore was of the considered opinion that while adjudging the role of press a clear line should be drawn between the peoples right to know and projection of outlaws.
The statement said that the member publications of APNS were not prepared to compromise on the rights of information and expression, as the people of Pakistan cannot be denied the news relating to events, acts and statements taken place in the country or elsewhere.
However, it added, the national press is aware of its responsibilities towards the nation that such events and persons involved in such acts should not be glamorised.
The executive committee of APNS also asked the federal government for resumption of the government-press dialogue on the long pending issues.
Meanwhile, the members of the APNS executive committee approved the report of the secretary general on preparations of the 17th APNS awards ceremony scheduled to be held in the first week of December at Islamabad.