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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain has reiterated the government’s commitment to ensure free and independent media in the country.
In his message on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day, the minister said the government under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan regards the freedom of the press as a fundamental, democratic and constitutional right.
The information minister said there is no concept of censorship in the country and the media enjoys unprecedented freedom. He said the government neither believes nor practices any press advice and rather encourages self-regulation by the media.
Fawad Chaudhary said the government is taking all possible measures to create a congenial environment for the journalists to perform their professional obligations.
He said the steps undertaken to ensure the welfare and security of journalists and media workers include the 8th Wage Board Award and the establishment of Information Commission.
He said his ministry fully supports the idea of the Journalist Protection Act which will go a long way in ensuring safety and security of the journalist community and equip the media with modern technologies.
Fawad Chaudhry said the journalists will be accommodated in the Prime Minister’s Housing Scheme under certain criteria. He said the government is also contemplating awarding health cards to journalists so theycan avail healthcare facilities for themselves and their families.
The minister assured that the government will continue to facilitate the growth of free and responsible media and ensure the safety and security of the working journalists.
Meanwhile, in his tweets, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain paid tributes to those journalists who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The minister pointed out that the journalists in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir, Palestine and other areas go through daily hardships to write the truth.
He said it is part of the agenda to introduce new media technologies and new projects will also be brought this year especially for the young journalists.
