The Declaration warned that no one would be permitted to sabotage the freedom of media and freedom of expression achieved after decade's old long persistent struggle of media. The Declaration pledged to vigorously confront the challenges faced by the media and made it clear that any particular legislation targeting media would be considered as an attack on the freedom of Press and as such would be resisted vehemently.
Dr Khattak said that freedom of media, imposing 'special herculean' laws for media, restrictions on media, economic constrains of media, latest media technology, integrity and survival of media were the subjects came under thorough discussion in the convention in its 8 different long sessions by the stakeholders participated from all over the country.
The Convention threadbare discussed the danger of freedom of expression and freedom of media amidst heated speeches delivered by the participants and delegates. The participants reiterated their pledge to resist resolutely any step to suppress the freedom of print and electronic media come what may. The convention unanimously agreed that none would be permitted to take any step to usurp the democratic rights of media restored after a prolong media struggle.
The Declaration said that any interference and meddling whether attempted on the part of functionaries within the state or the govt. or institutions or individuals would be outrightly opposed and resisted. The declaration took exception to 'cold' and 'stubborn' attitude of the state and federal government towards the present state of affairs of media and problems of media institutions and their workers. The Declaration described it as cruel and cowardly attack on the freedom of expression and media.
The Declaration said that the proposed legislation of media is synonymous to attack on human rights including access to the information, freedom of media, democratic traditions. The Declaration expressed its grave concern over keeping the media stallholders at distance during process of the proposed laws regarding media saying that all such exercises would be and harmful and futile.
The Declaration warned that unnecessary interference of state or non-state and govt. in the freedom of media would in no case be accepted and would strongly opposed and resisted at all cost. Participants of the convention conveyed to the high ups that democracy is the fundamental need and base of free media saying that free media always played in a democratic society a significant role in the free flow of and access to information for the people, attention towards the affairs of the people, concentration on freedom of expression and protection and promotion of human rights.
The Declaration said that media practitioners have perception of responsible disallowing unethical media practices on screen and in print. The Declaration stressed that unethical media practices should in no case be permitted. Therefore emphasis should be laid on a unanimous voluntary based code of ethics with independent Media Commission for hearing the violation cases of unethical practices on screen and in print monitored by voluntary media bodies.
The declaration is of the view monitoring of violations should be sent by the media voluntary bodies to proposed Media Commission.
The Declaration stressed the need for practical steps to promote enabling environment for extension of freedom of expression and freedom of media and recent latest advancement of media technology to pave the way for devolution of benefits to the far flung areas, deprived cities and rural areas.
Despite 18th amendment, devolution of power from federation to provinces in respect of media affairs could not be transferred to the local level from the federation to provinces. Hence restriction, denial and powerlessness of basic rights at local level is still in existence.
The convention protested against 'ignoring' small, medium and regional newspapers in the distribution of govt. advertisements by federal ministry of information and described it as poisonous.
The so-called policy of transparent and fair distribution of govt. ads is producing no result leading to economic killing of small, local and regional newspapers. Therefore, a judicious and result oriented policy should be evolved for the distribution of govt. advertisements. It will go a long way to bring stability to the local and regional newspapers.
The convention welcomed the assurance held out by the federal information minister to implement the proposals made by the CPNE to resolve the problems of local and regional newspapers. In the convention, the Minister was told that the print media in Pakistan was gradually switching over to latest modern techniques to meet the requirements of market.-PR