Punjab Minister for Information and Culture Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said that being the fourth pillar of the state, media is a vital component of the democratic setup.
He expressed these views while talking to the members of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Punjab chapter in a meeting at his residence on Wednesday.
He said that media performs the role of a powerful watchdog by regularly monitoring the performance of the government and by projecting a true picture of society.
He said that the Punjab government had always provided an accommodating atmosphere to media houses.
Underscoring the importance of a free press, he said that relevant laws of the provincial information department were being updated.
“We have also made the information department more responsive in order to act as a bridge between the government and the media,” he added.
He said that democracy and media are important lynchpins of society, adding that the media helped with the promotion of sustained democratic norms and rule of law.
“We are committed to solving the problems of the journalists on a priority basis and providing a level-playing field to them,” he added.
The minister said that the PML-N government believed the media was an integral part of democracy as it helps the government remain aware about public sentiment.
“The technological revolution has further increased the influence of media, while social media has given new strength to the voice of the commons,” he added.
CPNE members thanked the minister and ensured their full cooperation in maintaining a productive relationship between the government and the media industry.
