A Feature of a Media Policy
- Media policy of a country is its identity.
- There can not be a country which does not have an information policy of its own.
- Such policy may be a written document or an unwritten one.
- The major factor of a national information policy is based on following salient features:
- History of the country
- Geography of the country
- Religion or religions practiced
- Languages spoken
- Highlights of culture – e.g., literature, music dance, sports, festivals, costumes, food /cosines.
- To design the information policy, it would be necessary to have maximum knowledge about over all economic conditions, agricultural products, industrial and developmental activities of all kinds.
- Broadcast policy of any TV or Radio network is linked generally with information policy of the country. Sometime there are changes in broadcast policy with the change of government.
- Main media organizations which are responsible for implementation of the policy are:
Newspapers/ Journals; News Agencies;
Radio; TV; Cinema, New media etc
- The main purpose of the policy is to promote and safeguard National Objectives and interest.
Major Factor
Freedom of Expression/Press
- Freedom of expression is a cherished and necessary value in free societies. Freedom of expression and of the press has been made secure in broad parts of the world through many years of struggle and sacrifice. A free press is the first target of dictators and authoritarians; even in stable democracies, journalistic and artistic expression frequently comes under pressure from political leaders and interest groups.
Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948
- “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes the freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers”
Constitution of Islamic Republic of Pakistan, 1973
- “Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt of court or commission of or incitement to an offence.”
Principles
- Promote free and independent media
- Facilitate access to information
- Open up electronic media to the private sector
- Pursue a pluralistic approach in State media
- Advancement and development of media professionals
Media Strategy
- Opening up the electronic media for establishment of Private Radio and TV Stations
- Ministry’s role as facilitator without any censorship / press advice
- Promote state policies at national & international level through media diplomacy
- Project Pakistan’s soft image as a tolerant & responsible member of world community
- Provide effective communication between the Government & our Embassies through establishment of video conferencing facility
- To create peace & harmony by acting as an agent between the people & the Government
Role & Functions
- Focal point for all projection activities of the Government
- Bridge between Government, media and the people
- Umbrella organization for public sector mass media
- News & Views feedback to the Government
- Provides policy guidelines to the state electronic media
- Encourages print media to support on key issues
- Serves as the official spokes-Ministry
Press Information Department
Major Functions
- Coverage in Print Media
- Coverage in Electronic Media
- Pictorial Coverage
- Coverage through Cyber Wing
- PID also operates through its Regional Information Offices and Public Relation Officers attached to each Ministry/Division for the projection of their activities/ achievements.
Centralized Release of Government Advertisements
- Press Information Department of the federal government and the provincial information departments have discretionary powers to release the government advertisements to the media and can increase/decrease/stop ads of any publication without assigning any reason.
External Publicity Wing
FUNCTIONS OF EP WING
Interaction with foreign correspondents in Pakistan
Briefing and facilitation of visiting foreign media representatives
Monitor foreign press and prepare daily summary for the President and the Prime Minister
Counter negative reports
Supply publicity material and newspapers to Pakistan Missions
Arrange publication of articles in foreign newspapers
Associated Press of Pakistan
Introduction & Objectives
APP, the premier news agency of Pakistan, was established in 1947.
Initially APP was run through a Trust, but owing to financial problems, it was taken over by the Government through an Ordinance.
APP has now been made a corporation since October 2002, through an Ordinance.
Ensure free and efficient flow of information to the people.
Project government’s policies and Supply of authentic and reliable news to subscribers.
Audit Bureau of Circulation
The Audit Bureau is part and parcel of Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
- ABC has the exclusive powers to audit all publications to determine their circulation and accordingly give them government advertisement rates. Previously, ABC certificate was also used to import news print on cheaper rates than its price in the open market.
Directorate General of Films & Publications
Introduction and Functions
- It is responsible for projection and publicity of the policies of the Government of Pakistan, at home and abroad, through celluloid and printed material
- Regular and Ad-hoc publications
- Documentary films.
- Supply publicity material to Pakistan Missions abroad, foreign diplomats based in Pakistan and important opinion-makers within and outside Pakistan.
The Newspaper Employees’ Wage Board Award
- The government sets up the Newspaper Employees’ Wage Board Awards from time to time in order to increase the pay and allowances of newspaper employees. This enables the government to indirectly influence the newspaper owners to project the government point of view in their publications.
Pakistan Electronics Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
- Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) was established on March 01, 2002 through an Ordinance.
Its primary role is to facilitate the growth of Electronic Media and to regulate its operations. - Operation of Electronic Broadcast Media & CTV stations in Pakistan with a view to:
- Improve the standards of information, education and entertainment.
Functions
Grant licenses for establishing TV, Radio, Cable TV & other broadcast technologies. Issues certificates for satellite uplink. Address complaints through Councils of Complaints.
- Prohibit illegal broadcasts. Suspend and revoke licenses. Prescribe Code of conduct for Programs and Advertisements.
STATE BROADCASTERS
PAKISTAN TELEVISION CORPORATION
PAKISTAN BROADCASTING CORPORATION
SHALIMAR RECORDING & BROADCASTING Co
The Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance 2002
- According to Ministry of Information, this law will promote healthy and responsible trends in journalism and will give legal cover to the constitution of a Press Council aimed at safeguarding freedom of the press.……The Council will be empowered to look into a complaint about alleged interference in the freedom of the press by the government, a political party or any other organization or individual.
The Press, Newspapers and News Agencies Registration Ordinance-2002
- This law is meant to safeguard the freedom of the press, set professional standards for newspapers and news agencies, and make them accountable with regard to the feelings, fears and issues of the Pakistani society…… It seeks to streamline and soften the procedure of issuing declarations for any new publication and to introduce a system of checks and balances to rationalize the discretionary powers of the relevant authorities authenticating or canceling the declarations.