ISLAMABAD:
Federal Information Minister Attaullah Tarar has revealed that the government has approved a policy for distribution of advertisements on digital media.
Speaking at the standing committee meeting of the Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE) on Friday, the federal minister said the rise of digital media cannot undermine the importance of print media.
“I believe in newspapers. The survival of society is linked to the survival of newspapers,” he stressed, adding that although digital media is popular, it is free from any editorial control.
Pointing out the need for new infrastructure to revive print media, he said the government needed guidance from the CPNE in this regard.
“We cannot forget about print media and focus solely on digital media. Digital media advertising policies have been approved and now the digital versions of newspapers will also receive advertising from both the government and the private sector,” he shared.
According to the policy, the government and the private sector will be able to distribute advertisements in the digital vision of newspapers.
He said the government had paid Rs 2,000 crore in outstanding dues to newspapers over the last two years and would release an additional Rs 2,000 crore.
Regarding the protection of journalists, Tarar said it was his top priority and mentioned that the appointment of a chairman of the Journalists Protection Authority would be finalized soon.
The CPNE standing committee meeting was held under the chairmanship of Irshad Ahmed Arif. The meeting was attended by CPNE Secretary General Aijazul Haq, Vice President Anwar Sajidi, Ayaz Khan, Kazim Khan and the official as well as members.
