–Fawad Chaudhry says govt looking for active collaboration with global social media giants like Facebook, Twitter etc
–Govt to merge three different media regulatory bodies into one organisation, says minister
–PTV, Radio Pakistan academies to be merged for creation of Pakistan Media University
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry on Thursday said that the government was preparing rules for regulating the social media industry in Pakistan.
He was speaking at the ‘National Security, Nation Building and Mass Media’ conference in the federal capital.
Chaudhry said that a few weeks ago, when “certain incidents” were taking place in the country, the government considered regulating social media.
“The government wants to regulate social media but it is not possible without an active collaboration with global social media giants like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and others,” he said, adding that these international companies have research and development budgets which are more than the total budgets of countries like Pakistan.
“We have to see how much we can cope with international regulations, and subsequently, over time, the international regulations will govern the rules of national regulations,” he said.
The information minister said that excessive information leads to an increase in conflicts, adding that this issue was not unique to Pakistan.
He said that in coming years, the concept of local regulation of media would become obsolete and international regulation would come in vogue. He said that the government has decided to merge Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Press Council of Pakistan and Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to meet requirements of the new era.
The minister also said that the local media was facing financial crunch and the workers were being sacked from media houses. He said that the media owners should revamp their business model to cope with the emerging realities.
“The government cannot dole out tax-payers’ money to private businesses because it is not our mandate. Moreover, the financial conditions of the country do not allow us to issue advertisements in bulk,” he said.
The information minister said that during the tenure of the previous government, the advertising market was artificially increased from Rs12 billion to Rs40 billion and the incumbent government decided to bring it back to its original size.
The minister warned that the media industry and students studying this field needed to be mindful of technological advancements taking place. He said that the media would witness a revolution in the upcoming ten years and both print and electronic media would witness great changes, adding that as dependence on information technology would grow, the job opportunities in the industry may shrink.
He said that Pakistan Television (PTV) and Radio Pakistan academies were being merged to create Pakistan Media University which would prove helpful for creative and engineering based people. He said that in 1960s Pakistan used to produce transmitters for Radio Pakistan but in the recent past the same were imported, however now the government has planned to revive radio engineering and produce transmitter locally to save foreign exchange.
Earlier, Minister of State for Interior Shehryar Khan Afridi also spoke at the conference and urged the media to play its due role when it comes to national security.
Taking aim at the prevailing media policies, Afridi stressed that safeguarding national security is not just the responsibility of soldiers manning borders but the entire society.
“Till when will we continue trying to alter our norms to please the goras [foreigners],” he said. “Why do we need to amplify our narrative?”
The state minister claimed that news regarding Aasia Bibi gets its due attention in the media but the issue of Dr Aafia Siddiqui and the government’s efforts to repatriate her gets largely overlooked.
The minister complained that misinformation was being spread about him and the government, especially since he has started taking initiatives against corrupt elements.
He pointed out what he thought were shortcomings on the part of the media, and claimed that the positive aspects of the country do not always get highlighted.
The state minister asked the nation to give more time to the federal government, instead of asking for accountability over the first 100 days in power.
Shehryar Afridi further said, “We are being asked for results. Let me assure you, we will answer for each and every penny. Give us some time. We will set examples for the next generations. For heaven’s sake, don’t jump to conclusions.”
Speaking on the occasion, senior journalist Shaukat Paracha said though there were certain shortcomings, overall most of the media in Pakistan behaves responsibly when it comes to national security and interests.
TV anchorperson Nasim Zehra said the media in Pakistan should not become a party to any conflict or issue and play its due role impartially. She said media in Pakistan has a history of fighting against the military dictators and standing with democracy.
Senior journalist Amir Zia said red lines have been drawn in Pakistan like every country in the world and media needs to work within its limits. He said a strong regulatory framework should be established in the country, adding that the government should also formulate a policy about foreign journalists working in the country.
Journalist Ahmed Kureshi, Other speakers included Federal Information Secretary Shafqat Jalil, Press Council of Pakistan Chairman Salahuddin Mengal, PEMRA Director General Wakeel Khan, SM Haali, Abdullah Khan and others also spoke on the occasion. PICSS Chairman Major General (r) Saad Khattak delivered the welcome address.
