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‘Dictators or corrupt govts controlled media and judiciary for their own protection’
ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan Friday said the media in Pakistan enjoyed an unprecedented freedom but the government has the problem only with the fake news or propaganda.
Addressing the launching ceremony of Digital Media Development Program here, Imran Khan said the PTI government was not affected by a free judiciary and free media because it was not corrupt or breaking any laws.
However, he added the government had “problems” with fake news and propaganda. The premier said 70 per cent of the news content published or broadcast in the PTI-led government’s tenure so far had been “against us”.
“I challenge, no government in the history allowed media to act so freely? I guarantee, almost 70% of total TV programs during last three years were against the government. I guarantee, 70% news items with angling were against us,” the prime minister said.
He said he had never seen such a slander against a prime minister or minister, not even in the western democracies.
The prime minister said the free media or free judiciary should not be a matter of concern for the incumbent government, if it was not involved in corruption or violation of rules. It was the dictators or the corrupt governments which controlled media and judiciary for their protection, he added.
He said even three major dailies of Pakistan, in their headlines, had alleged that the nomination of Azad Jammu and Kashmir’s prime minister was made on the basis of some sort of astrological table.
“Just imagine what could be a slander bigger than that? I would have got damages in millions had this happened in England which I would have given to my charity,” he remarked.
The prime minister urged the internees to never compromise their credibility as the fake news had a limited life and gets discredited within short span of time. He said the state media in the past was used as propaganda tool but the youth should improve their credibility through new researches and ideas.
He also urged them to highlight Pakistan’s true vision of an Islamic welfare state which should feature self-respect, humanity, rule of law and justice.
The government has already put the country on the very course as welfare programs under Ehsaas initiatives, universal health coverage, Panagahs, low-income house and efforts to establish rule of law were among the measures being taken by the government.
He said the initiatives like universal health coverage was not available even in the developed countries as it would give Rs1 million health insurance cover to a family.
The prime minister said the youth had never got such opportunities like in the digital era where youngsters became billionaire even at the age of 25.
Citing his success story during cricketing career, he said no individual could excel in life unless he realizes his potential, never gave up struggle and came up with new ideas.
Imran Khan also advised the youth to live a life to serve the humanity, as great leaders like Holy Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), Sufi saints, Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Nelson Mandela were remembered yet only because they lived for humanity.
Addressing the event, Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said reforms have been introduced within stated media outlets to promote our narratives effectively to the world.
He said Radio Pakistan, Pakistan Television and Associated Press of Pakistan have now been shifted to HD and podcast.
Chaudhary Fawad Hussain said we will initiate media internship program for newly appointed public servants about the use of digital media changing the old course outline.
He said the information ministry, in collaboration with 42 journalism schools, will train over 5000 people which will promote digital media awareness and increase generation of revenue.
State Minister Farrukh Habib, Special Assistant to PM Dr Shahbaz Gill, Senator Faisal Javed were among the prominent participants besides the newly selected internees.