Opp should work above party lines to understand spirit of PMDA bill Fawad.

ISLAMABAD -- Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has said that it is first time in the history of Pakistan that all the stakeholders along with the legislative bodies are extensively being consulted prior to the official passing of the bill on proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA). While briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, Minister for Information Fawad Chaudhry and Minister of State for Information Farrukh Habib briefed the committee on the concept paper for PMDA. A meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting on the newly proposed PMDA was held here on Wednesday under the chairmanship of Senator Faisal Javed at the Parliament House. Briefing the committee on the proposed bill, the information minister said that it has become a convention by the opposition to oppose every bill proposed by the government, however, this is an important bill and they should work above party lines to understand the spirit and objective behind the bill. He lamented that a fake ordinance was issued to misinterpret and created chaos in the country against the freedom of journalism which the government believes is its utmost right. He said that primarily this idea is based to address four central points, including the convergence of broadcast, digital, telecom and print media, protecting the rights of the media workers, protection from abusive harmful content and fake news and a robust complaint redressal mechanism, rationalization of imposing fine on violations and reducing regulatory cost. It was also briefed that Media Tribunal will consist of ten members (10) including a chairman. Fawad said that the government has constituted two forums in view of the challenges of journalists and to address issues of fake news. He said that any working journalist cannot support fake news.

He said that it is very unfortunate and cannot be run long that some elements start blackmailing tactics, whenever the government aims at bringing some proposals. He said that some things should think keeping aside politics.

Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting Farrukh Habib briefed the committee and said that the objections on the draft of the proposed bill do not mean that it has become law.

He said the Journalists Protection Bill is pending before the Human Rights Committee since last three months. He said protection of the journalists rights and lives in necessary...