Islamabad, (Parliament Times) : In the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), topics such as challenges to press freedom, the arbitrary and unbridled use of the PICA Act, the unofficial practice of making advertisements conditional on government coverage, and the differentiation between regular journalists associated with the sacred profession of journalism and self-styled journalists were discussed. Members of editors from across the country strongly supported Ali Ahmad Dhillon’s proposal and resolution, which stated that before registering an FIR or taking action against any journalist under the PICA Act, consultation with journalist organizations or review of complaints through a committee should be made a necessary step. Addressing the committee, CPNE President Kazim Khan said that we have to fight for our rights within the limits and boundaries. The council can not support any person or journalist who uses the platform of journalism for spreading fake news or fulfilling personal agendas without evidence. He further stated that the council completely separates the concept of responsible freedom of expression from the idea of unrestricted freedom. The CPNE President said that the most important task of the CPNE Press Freedom Committee is to raise voice for the rights of responsible journalists after complete research.
CPNE Senior Vice President Ayaz Khan said that no one will be allowed to misrepresent or twist facts from the most authentic forum of Pakistan for the protection of freedom of expression rights. He said that if any government or official exceeds their limits and authority under the guise of judicial orders, accountability will be done on every forum. He further stated that the Ministry of Information has to take action against everyone who causes disrepute to the government and department. The committee unanimously approved a resolution stating that no member of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors will participate in any provincial government’s consultation until the government clarifies why misrepresentation was done in front of honorable members of the council in the presence of the Information Minister of Punjab.
Secretary General Ghulam Nabi Chandio said that regional newspapers are currently facing severe economic pressure. The government needs to make the process of fair distribution of advertisements transparent. He further said that giving precedence to one journalistic group over other journalistic institutions in Pakistan merely because they endured imprisonment in the previous government is absolutely unacceptable. He said that the council pays tribute to the sacrifices made for press freedom, but linking business-based jail time to press freedom is professional dishonesty.