'Democracy vital to strong Federation'

LAHORE Former federal minister and PML-N leader Sartaj Aziz has asked media not to create atmosphere about change in government as it would spread anarchy instead of bringing any revolution adding that the democracy is vital for strong federation and media should keep national interests on priority while reporting any issue. He was addressing a seminar on 'Media and Publics Expectations at Hameed Nizami Press Institute of Pakistan (HNPIP) here on Saturday. 'I would suggest media council comprising of media persons, civil society and parliament, he said adding that the peoples expectations about the media might then be met after establishing his purposed council. He said the youth got information not through TVs and newspapers but they used internet, facebook, twitter etc and now it was also a challenge to traditional media that how to meet the need of young generations. He said communication labour contributed in development of country therefore a responsible, free and developed media was essential for Pakistan. Sartaj was of view that there must be news stories about the positive things which were happening in the society especially in terms of donations for flooded areas. Director Institute of Communication Studies Dr Ahsan Akhtar Naz, Ex-Principal Central Television Institute Naeem Tahir, Chairperson Mass Communication Department Lahore College for Women University Dr Anjum Zia also share their expertise on the occasion. They were of the view that public sector broadcasting should create awareness among the masses. Dr Naz said 'Media was the centre of peoples hope but there was also a need to bring maturity in that field, he added. Senior journalist Saeed Aasi, however defended the role of media in society and said regarding media mere criticism was not good. He was against what it was said earlier by another journalist Taseer Mustafa that media was not free and a party of either government or opposition. Senior journalist Sarfaraz Syed said only truth should be reported in media. Allama Ashgar Ali Warraich including other senior journalists attended the seminar.

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