ISLAMABAD: The Executive Committee of the All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) has held a meeting with Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar to discuss a wide range of issues relating to the newspaper industry, government advertising policy and regulatory reforms.
During the meeting, the minister agreed in principle and directed the officials of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to incorporate the digital websites of newspapers into the federal government’s print advertising campaigns, says a press release issued on Tuesday.
The APNS delegation pointed out that the prime minister’s commitment to increase government advertising rates for the print media has yet to be implemented, despite the severe economic challenges confronting the newspaper industry.
The APNS proposed that government advertising rates for print media should be delinked from the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) and that the existing rates should remain frozen until a new mechanism for determining newspaper advertisement rates is developed.
The print media organisation further expressed the view that the authority to fix government advertisement rates should be transferred from the Cabinet Division to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in line with the existing policy applicable to other media.
The meeting also discussed the need to reform and restructure the ABC and the office of the Registrar. The APNS emphasised that the registration rules should be simplified in consultation with all stakeholders.
The federal minister directed the information secretary to constitute a joint committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Information and APNS to formulate proposals and recommend a comprehensive policy framework on these matters.
The APNS also pointed out that the existing government advertising policy is largely based on the 1964 framework and requires a comprehensive review to meet present-day media requirements. The society proposed that client departments should be empowered to prepare media plans according to their communication objectives and target audiences.
The delegation also expressed concern over the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) taking action against content published in newspapers. It maintained that the content published in newspapers and on newspaper websites does not fall within the jurisdiction of the NCCIA, as it lacks the locus standi to entertain complaints relating to newspapers and their websites. The APNS maintained that the Press Council of Pakistan is the only competent statutory forum to deal with such matters.
Issues relating to the taxation of newsprint also came under discussion. The federal minister assured the APNS delegation that efforts would be made to resolve these issues at the earliest.
The federal minister was accompanied by Federal Secretary for Information and Broadcasting Ashfaq Khalil and Principal Information Officer Raisa Adil.
The delegation was led by APNS President Senator Sarmad Ali and attended by Mujib ur Rehman Shami, Daily Pakistan Lahore; Vice President Shahab Zuberi; Joint Secretary Mohsin Bilal; Mohsin Seyal, Daily Aftab; Bilal Farooqi, Daily Aghaz; Ansar Mahmood Bhatti, Monthly Centre Line; Kazi Asad Abid, Daily Ibrat; Syed Akbar Tahir, Daily Jasarat; Shakoor Shah, Daily Mashriq, Quetta; Sardar Khan Niazi, Monthly Naya Rukh; Mohammad Faruq, Daily Pakistan; Faisal Zahid Malik, Daily Pakistan Observer; Mohammad Irfan, Daily Ummat; Humayun Gulzar, Daily Sayadat; Rao Amjad Ali, Daily Har Lamha.
Meanwhile, Attaullah Tarar said the government firmly believed in independent, responsible and strong print media in the country.
During a meeting with a delegation of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), led by its President Kazim Khan, the minister assured that the consultation process with all relevant stakeholders would continue to resolve the structural and financial issues hindering the newspaper industry.
The minister also agreed on the need to introduce comprehensive reforms to the Audit Bureau of Circulations (ABC) system.
He emphasized that it was the need of the hour to align the ABC system with modern requirements, making it both effective and transparent.
The minister pledged that necessary reforms in the ABC, the prompt payment of outstanding dues to media houses, and matters relating to news agencies would be addressed on a priority.
He added that all possible cooperation would be extended to resolve the legitimate grievances of journalistic organizations.
The CPNE delegation took the opportunity to congratulate the newly appointed Principal Information Officer (PIO), Raisa Adil, on officially assuming her responsibilities.
The delegation expressed optimism that under her leadership, mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Information and the newspaper industry would be further strengthened.
Furthermore, the delegation praised the services of the outgoing PIO, Mubashir Hassan, and extended their best wishes for his future endeavors. Federal Information Secretary Ashfaq Ahmad Khalil, was also present during the meeting.
