Decides to launch a nationwide Save Newspaper movement,
ISLAMABAD (Parliament Times): Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) Islamabad during an emergency meeting while condemning in strong terms the government’s ‘anti- media policy’ has decided to launch a nationwide Save Newspaper movement in case the government failed to address the challenges faced by the print media industry. The meeting which was held under the chairmanship of convener Mumtaz Bhatti was attended editors and members of journalist bodies including President of All Kashmir Newspapers Society Sardar Zahid Tabassum, Khawaja Matin Editor Kashmir Link, Zahid Farooq Malik Editor Daily Metro Watch, Agha Abdul Ghafoor Tahir Editor Business Times, Syed Tabassum Abbas Shah Editor Daily Sadae Sach, Sardar Sajad Editor Kashmir Tribune,
Key decisions include launching a nationwide newspaper rescue movement, setting up a six-member action committee, urging the government to immediately issue advertisements to regional newspapers under a 25% quota instead of making verbal claims, and circulating emergency situations in the country due to corona. Media refrains from so-called surveys, demands from the government in a joint contract.
An emergency meeting of CPNE Islamabad was held under the chairmanship of its convener Mumtaz Bhatti in which Sardar Zahid Tabassum, President of All Kashmir Newspapers Society, besides Khawaja Matin, Editor Kashmir Link, Zahid Farooq Malik, Editor Daily Metro Watch, Agha Abdul Ghafoor Tahir, Editor Business Times, Syed Tabassum Abbas Shah Editor Daily Sadae Sach, Sardar Saja Editor Kashmir Tribune and several others. The participants of CPNE meeting unanimously supported all the decisions taken on the occasion.
During the meeting, the participants regrettably noted that the government was hell bent on destroying the media industry through its anti-media policies. They said that it was quite unfortunate that media industry and people associated with it were being ignored at a time when the government was giving relief packages to all sectors. “Even in this pandemic of epic proportions government has stopped paying dues pending on account of the advertisements
It was jointly decided to launch save newspaper movement all across the country. A six-member action committee was also constituted to devise ways and means to make save newspaper movement a success.
Speaking on the occasion, President of All Kashmir Newspapers Society Sardar Zahid Tabassum said that about 50 newspapers published from different districts of Azad Kashmir were members of All Kashmir Newspapers Society. He, however, stated that 70% of the advertisements issued by the federal and Azad Kashmir governments already go to six specific media houses whereas advertisements issued to AJK Newspapers by the federal government have been blocked since past couple of weeks.
Kashmir newspapers he said have been playing a vital role to promote Kashmir cause. “Ignoring media organizations at this crucial point of time would be a great travesty of justice” he said adding that it was high time that CPNE members should pledge their support for the rights of all the newspapers of the country including Kashmiri newspapers.
