National Assembly Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has directed Ministry of Information to submit a draft legislative proposal on the protection and welfare of journalists by mid October.
Standing Committee on Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage has directed the Information Ministry to complete consultation process with media organisations for their input and submit a draft of the "Media Protection and Welfare Bill" by 15th October, 2016.
The committee chaired by MNA Pir Muhammad Aslam Bodla discussed the implementation status of the recommendations made by "The Special Committee to investigate threats to Journalists and Media Personnel", in its report presented in the House on 13th March, 2013.
The committee observed that media houses are not being given enough security and found recommendations made by the Special Committee, comprehensive which need to be implemented to ensure security and welfare of working journalists. The Director General of Ministry of Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage condemned the Quetta incident as well as other attacks on media houses in Karachi. He announced Rs 2.5 million for the families of each cameraman who sacrificed his life.
He told the committee that a letter has been written to Saeed Murad Ali Shah, chief Minister Sindh, seeking enhanced security for media houses. He further informed the Committee about the consultative process with the Media Representative Organisation and other stakeholders to draft a Media Protection and Welfare Bill. He said that the process was halted due to the dissolution of PFUJ Body; however, the process would be reinitiated within a week as new PFUJ body will be in place subsequent to its elections being held today.
He assured the Committee that the Draft Bill will be brought before the Committee within a stipulated timeline. He acknowledged that media workers working in conflict zones are vulnerable and in dire need of financial security and protection. He informed about the measures initiative for the security of the media houses, training to deal with eventualities and the funds transferred to the CPNE for creation of an endowment fund.
The Committee also heard the views of Senior Media Representatives of CPNE, APNS and Media Associations. They apprised the Committee about the condition of working journalists specially performing in the conflict zones. They said that a large numbers of media workers have been victims in the incidents of terrorism in the country in yester years. They stressed the need for initiation of an insurance scheme for media workers for providing financial security to their heirs in case of any eventuality.
Chairman Pemra informed the committee that PEMRA is helpless on airing the content related to Altaf Hussain, as it's only the court or Ministry of Interior which can direct banning him. He said the PEMRA has received two views, putting a ban on him and other one is to expose him through media by showing his speeches, etc.
Press Information Department (PID) officials told the committee that a consultative process on access to information bill has already been completed. He further informed the committee that the summary of payments to the journalists worth Rs 224 million has been forwarded to Finance Ministry, as soon as the amount will be received PID will announce journalists' package. The committee took notice of the restriction laid on media coverage in the Election Commission and sought a report from the Information Ministry.