Report: ANI Correspondent:
ISLAMABAD– The National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting expressed serious concern over the continued non-payment and delay in payment of salaries to media workers, emphasizing that employees associated with the media industry should not be made to suffer due to outstanding liabilities owed by government institutions to media houses.
The committee meeting was held at the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Headquarters, Islamabad, under the chairmanship of MNA Pullain Baloch.
The committee observed that timely payment of salaries is a fundamental responsibility of media organizations and stressed the need for all concerned authorities to take effective measures to protect the legitimate financial rights of media workers.
Reiterating its earlier position, the committee was unanimous in its view that outstanding salaries of media employees must be cleared without further delay. It sought comprehensive details regarding salaries and other financial dues pending against media organizations.
The committee directed the Press Information Department (PID) to provide details of payments made to print and electronic media outlets, including the amounts paid, outstanding payments and the status of pending claims.
Committee Expresses Concern Over Delay in PBC Shortwave Transmitter Project
The committee also expressed serious concern over the prolonged non-completion of the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) Shortwave Transmitters project at Landhi, Karachi, which was approved under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) during the financial year 2006-07.
Taking serious note of the considerable delay in completion of the project, the committee sought a detailed report on its present status, expenditure incurred so far, remaining financial requirements, reasons for the delay and the timeline for its completion.
The committee stressed that development projects funded through public money should be completed within the stipulated timeframe and that unnecessary delays must be properly explained and addressed.
The committee also decided to call officials of the Finance and Planning Divisions to explain the non-release of funds for the project.
PEMRA Directed to Formulate Comprehensive Code of Conduct for Morning Shows
The committee also deliberated on the content and programming of morning shows aired on television channels, particularly in the context of maintaining appropriate standards of decency, responsibility and public interest.
The committee directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) to formulate a comprehensive and clearly defined code of conduct for morning shows.
The proposed code should provide appropriate guidelines regarding the nature of content, use of language, treatment of sensitive issues, participation of guests and overall editorial standards, while ensuring that television programming remains consistent with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
Committee Seeks Details of Pending Liabilities of TV Channels
The committee further directed PEMRA to furnish comprehensive details of pending liabilities of television channels, including the nature and amount of outstanding dues, the period for which such liabilities have remained pending and the steps being taken by the regulator for their recovery.
The committee stressed the need for effective regulatory oversight and timely resolution of outstanding financial obligations.
The committee emphasized that the media sector plays a vital role in informing the public and strengthening democratic institutions. It underscored the need for a healthy, responsible and professional media and stressed that broadcasters must adhere to appropriate professional and ethical standards.
The committee directed the concerned departments and regulatory authorities to furnish the requested information within the stipulated timeframe and decided to take up the matters for follow-up in its subsequent meeting.
PBC Directed to Start Programmes and News Bulletins in Regional Languages
The committee also directed Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation to initiate programmes and news bulletins in all regional languages on Radio Pakistan to provide broader access to information and programming for people across the country.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Asia Naz Tanoli, Shaheen, Mehtab Akbar Rashdi, Syed Amin-ul-Haque, Rana Ansar, Maulana Abdul Ghafoor Haideri and Barrister Danyal Chaudhary, Parliamentary Secretary for Information, Secretary Ministry of Information Ashfaq Ahmed Khalil Mack, PIO Raeesa Adil, PEMRA Chairman Ms Amreen Jan and other officers of PBC and PEMRA.
