ISLAMABAD - Newly appointed Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb announced yesterday that the Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) was being disbanded in whatever shape or form it was working.
No regulatory authority would be established other than the already functioning Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), she asserted. Addressing the media persons here, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the PTI government had proposed the formation of the PMDA last year, which if set up, would have been solely responsible for the regulation of print, broadcast and digital media in Pakistan. She said no ‘black law’ would be enacted or worked upon that would restrict the people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Marriyum has again taken charge of the government’s spokesperson after a gap of almost four years. Marriyum Aurangzeb was all smiles as she interacted with the media persons in her first press conference shortly after taking oath of her office, here on Tuesday.
At the outset of her presser, Aurangzeb expressed solidarity with those journalists and anchors, whose programmes were taken off-air under the previous government. “If the freedom of expression remains in the society, it not only makes the society further evolve, but, in my opinion and in my party’s opinion, it further strengthens the government’s performance and actions,” she added.
| Marriyum Aurangzeb says no regulatory authority will be set up other than already working PEMRA
A joint action committee comprising all stakeholders, including media organisations would meet to discuss the media’s problems, she said, adding that a consultative solution would be found that would be workable and acceptable to all.
The information minister recalled that the previous government tried to bring Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 — that was later struck down by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). She shared that the newly appointed Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had decided to review the PECA law, introduced in 2016 in consultation with all stakeholders. She said that the bill related to journalists’ protection would be made implementable soon. “Criticise us; we will accept it wholeheartedly if it can improve the lives of Pakistanis and the government’s performance,” she added.
Marriyum said the people of Pakistan had heard abuses and witnessed thuggery whether it was on the opposition, parliament or media during the four years of the PTI government. She said the opposition was thrown into the wheels of death to save the government, the doors of parliament were closed by legislating through ordinances and the media was oppressed. “I want a new era to start. This chaos should end,” she vowed.
She said the people of Pakistan know that the incumbent government is representative and all political parties are included. Together, we will end this chaotic situation, she added. She further said the new government would not continue the tradition of “bad accountability” against political opponents.
Responding to a question on whether the government would take action on anti-army and anti-judiciary campaigns on social media, she said action had already been initiated against those accounts. “Tweets were generated through BOTS. We have their twitter handles. The ongoing campaign using faceless twitter accounts and handles will not only be ended but FIA will also be involved. There is zero tolerance for this,” she said.
The information minister said, the PTI could not blame journalists for its failed governance and take their failed politics to their houses. “There would be zero tolerance for sharing journalists’ addresses on social media so protests could be held outside their houses,” she warned. Replying to another question, she said the new government would not level allegations against anyone but if some misdeed was done, then the law would take its course. The minister said she has disbanded the Digital Media Wing as well, set up by the previous government and the remaining employees were transferred to the cyber wing.
No regulatory authority would be established other than the already functioning Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra), she asserted. Addressing the media persons here, Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that the PTI government had proposed the formation of the PMDA last year, which if set up, would have been solely responsible for the regulation of print, broadcast and digital media in Pakistan. She said no ‘black law’ would be enacted or worked upon that would restrict the people’s constitutional right to freedom of expression.
Marriyum has again taken charge of the government’s spokesperson after a gap of almost four years. Marriyum Aurangzeb was all smiles as she interacted with the media persons in her first press conference shortly after taking oath of her office, here on Tuesday.
At the outset of her presser, Aurangzeb expressed solidarity with those journalists and anchors, whose programmes were taken off-air under the previous government. “If the freedom of expression remains in the society, it not only makes the society further evolve, but, in my opinion and in my party’s opinion, it further strengthens the government’s performance and actions,” she added.
| Marriyum Aurangzeb says no regulatory authority will be set up other than already working PEMRA
A joint action committee comprising all stakeholders, including media organisations would meet to discuss the media’s problems, she said, adding that a consultative solution would be found that would be workable and acceptable to all.
The information minister recalled that the previous government tried to bring Prevention of Electronic Crimes (Amendment) Ordinance, 2022 — that was later struck down by the Islamabad High Court (IHC). She shared that the newly appointed Law Minister Azam Nazir Tarar had decided to review the PECA law, introduced in 2016 in consultation with all stakeholders. She said that the bill related to journalists’ protection would be made implementable soon. “Criticise us; we will accept it wholeheartedly if it can improve the lives of Pakistanis and the government’s performance,” she added.
Marriyum said the people of Pakistan had heard abuses and witnessed thuggery whether it was on the opposition, parliament or media during the four years of the PTI government. She said the opposition was thrown into the wheels of death to save the government, the doors of parliament were closed by legislating through ordinances and the media was oppressed. “I want a new era to start. This chaos should end,” she vowed.
She said the people of Pakistan know that the incumbent government is representative and all political parties are included. Together, we will end this chaotic situation, she added. She further said the new government would not continue the tradition of “bad accountability” against political opponents.
Responding to a question on whether the government would take action on anti-army and anti-judiciary campaigns on social media, she said action had already been initiated against those accounts. “Tweets were generated through BOTS. We have their twitter handles. The ongoing campaign using faceless twitter accounts and handles will not only be ended but FIA will also be involved. There is zero tolerance for this,” she said.
The information minister said, the PTI could not blame journalists for its failed governance and take their failed politics to their houses. “There would be zero tolerance for sharing journalists’ addresses on social media so protests could be held outside their houses,” she warned. Replying to another question, she said the new government would not level allegations against anyone but if some misdeed was done, then the law would take its course. The minister said she has disbanded the Digital Media Wing as well, set up by the previous government and the remaining employees were transferred to the cyber wing.
