ISLAMABAD: Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb has announced the abolition of Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA).
Addressing a press conference in Islamabad on Tuesday, Marriyum Aurangzeb said that in the previous era, there was an attempt to bring black law of PMDA, we have abolished it. There is no need for any media authority with PEMRA.
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Marriyum Aurangzeb said that freedom of expression is a fundamental right of every person in Pakistan. Together with the Joint Action Committee we will solve issues related to media. We will also talk with stakeholders on fake news, important issues related to media.
Federal Information Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb said that PECA 2016 would be reviewed with all stakeholders. We will sit down and discuss whatever improvements will be made, she added.
She said that no one is allowed to harass the journalists. In the last four years, the media has been fighting for censorship and freedom of expression. Many journalists’ programs have been shut down on TV channels. I express solidarity with all such journalists. If there is freedom of expression in the society then the government will be strengthened.
She further said that the Right to Information Act was passed in our previous era. We will set up a commission on it so that it can start its work. We will accept the criticism wholeheartedly. When Nawaz Sharif was the Prime Minister, there were talk shows regarding Panama Lakes, PEMRA had not issued a single notice. Shehbaz Sharif remained the Chief Minister of Punjab for 10 years and but no restrictions were imposed on the media.
