National Media Policy of Pakistan

Overview
• Introduction and Historical Background of Media Policy in Pakistan
• Media Policy cycle process
• Media during Musharaf and Zardari Government:
A comparison
Introduction and Historical Background of
Media Policy in Pakistan

By
 What is Media and Policy:

Policy :a course or principle of action adopted or proposed by an organization

or individual.
 Historical overview of Media in Pakistan
• Print is the oldest media of mass communication.
• Media not only gives us the facts about an event or issue but also explains
and interprets them.
• In 1947, Pakistan inherited a weak press with very little law for
controlling and regulating the pres.
• The first news agency of Pakistan was associated press of Pakistan (APP)
established in 1947 .
• Pakistan broad Casting Corporation was established in 1972.
• On1964 the first official television station PTV transmission broadcasts
from Lahore.
• The free electronic media in Pakistan was initiated by a dictator
General Musharraf, though he had his own interests to present
himself as a democrat President
• The Pakistani media is an enthusiastic member of the new
warrior clan of the 21st century and despite belonging to war-
torn country, is playing active role in keeping with the demands
of the modern times.
 Vision of Media policy
• Media Policy aims to employ communication as a dynamic
continuum guided by the past, responsive to the present and
equipment for the future. It upholds the principles of national
unity, cultural diversity, equality, freedom of expression, access
to information, fair media competition and futuristic planning to
face the emerging challenges in the development of media in
Pakistan.
 Mission Statement
National Media Policy (NMP) is to promote a free, independent, dynamic and
public spirited media in Pakistan.
• Article: 19 and 19.A talks about Freedom of speech and right to information
as:
• 19. Freedom of speech, etc.-Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of
speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any
reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the
integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations
with foreign States, public order, decency or morality, or in relation to contempt
of court, 1[commission of] or incitement to an offence.
• Article 19A. Right to information.—Every citizen shall have the right to have
access to information in all matters of public importance subject to regulation
and reasonable restrictions imposed by law.
 Existing policy
• Media can’t write against the state, because it is the duty of all people to save
the state so this kind of news will be very harmful for the state.

• It is policy that media can’t give the statement against the Sectarian disputes,
Because it creates violence and anger among the Sects.

• From the beginning the government stated policy is that the Media should be
free from the government influence and formulate self made codes of ethics.
• It should uphold the highest standards of ethics, morality and respect while
remarking the scenarios of the state as what it says depicts national image in
the world.
Media Policy Cycle Process

By
 Media Policy cycle process

• There are following steps as:

• Identifying the underline Problem
• Determining alternatives
• Forecasting the consequences
• Evaluating the outcome
• Choose alternative
• Implement solution
 Problem in the Media Policy

• The current policies are not implementing properly because the

freedom which was said to be given to the media are not still
given properly, and the policies are just for the sake of name.
• The media is pressurize to publish the news that is in the favor
of some political leader or some pressure groups or in the favor
of the bureaucracy.
• As all the previous governments done in the past to overcome
the press, the government do the same thing to get the media
under their thumb.
 Alternatives

1) The freedom and independence of media shall be upheld and

protected in agreement with the provisions of the
Constitution and the media laws/rules.
2) The media shall, while promoting and protecting cultural
norms of Pakistani society, uphold the Islamic values as a
supreme concern of our society.
3) The media shall support the mass awareness efforts on
national issues.
 Forecasting the consequences

1) The media will be free and do not published irrelevant news

that creates violence, insurgency and dispute.
2) Our country made for which purpose that we have our culture
and norms and to uphold this Islamic values will be fulfilled.
3) If media give awareness about future then people can manage
the uncertainty.
 Evaluating the outcome

• Media will be free, but also should prevail positive image of the
country in the international world.
• The problem should be solve locally according to the ethic and
morality of the country.
• Media policy should national, promote integration not
differences in the country .
 Choose Alternatives

• The freedom and independence of media shall be upheld and

protected in agreement with the provisions of the Constitution
and the media laws/rules.
 Implement Solution

• To ensure the acceptance of the policies by both the parties, the

government and the media.
• Which save the respectability or morality of the state.
• The surety of freedom will be given to the media that they
always wanted.
• The government would not use the media for their own interest
they can use it for the state interest.
Media during Musharaf and Zardari
Government:
A comparison

By
 Media during Musharaf and Zardari Government:
A comparison

• Musharraf can be credited for opening the doors to media, introducing the
media revolution in Pakistan, however, the relation turned sour after his
imposition of second martial law and sacking of the chief justice. On the
other hand in Zardari era the media remained divided into three camps,
pro-government, neutral and anti-government.
 Media During Musharraf’s Regime

• Introducing more media freedom than his predecessors

• Opening the flood gates of electronic media in Pakistan
• Issuing of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority
(PEMRA) Ordinance in March 2002
• Allowing for private TV Channels which have mushroomed
since then
His Reasons:

• Absolute authority and beaming with confidence

• Presenting himself as a champion of the freedom of speech
• Granting the façade of legitimacy to his rule
• Ingratiating himself with the West
The Flipside:

• Imposition of second martial law and crackdown on Media, for

instance he shut down ARY and GEO networks
• The unbridled power of the media regulatory authority, to suspend
licenses, take it off air, and force cable operators to close channels
• Introduced ‘code of conduct’ for media, enforceable by the regulators
• Forcing media owners to apologize for transgressions and to conform
to the dotted-lines
 Media During Zardari’s Government

• As upholder of liberal democratic values the PPP government

has always championed the cause of free-media
• It continued with the policy of opening the media to private TV
and Radio channels
• Appointment of Sherry Rehman as information minister to
foster better relations with media, which was continued by her
successor, Qamar Zaman Kaira
The Obverse Side

• The PPP government always has a love-hate relationship with media

• In a bid to win over media the Zardari government appointed Dr.
Shahid Masood of ARY as chairman PTV
• However, he later resigned and became a vocal critic of the
government
• ARY and GEO lambasted the government for its inefficiency and
corruption, in retaliation the government tried to take it off air
• PEMRA was used to muzzle the media
 Conclusion

• To summarize, media can help stabilize and strengthen the country by playing
educational and informative role and by imparting knowledge to the masses as
knowledge is power and only a well-informed society can develop a positive
approach towards fife.
• Media ensures this flow of information. If restricted, censored or hindered in
any way the people will remain ignorant, ignorant of events, ignorant of their
rights, their duty to the State, their needs and the role that they can play for the
betterment of the society they live in and the country as a whole.
• Media successfully informs the whole world against any injustice and
shows world 'criticism which compel the government to change its
autocratic orders.
• After a significant role of media in restoring the judicial crisis, media has
an unprecedented ability to act as a catalyst in civil society efforts to
strengthen democratic polity.

• When complaints are freely heard, deeply considered, and speedily

reformed, then is the utmost bound of civil liberty attained, that wise men
look for."– Milton