No record of media houses source of funding, says minister

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 11 February 2014 |  Daud Malik

The PML-N government has confirmed to the National Assembly that it does not have records of any media organization's funding sources. Minister Pervaiz Rashid stated that no foreign funds were received by PEMRA in the specified period.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: The PML-N government has told the National Assembly it does not have record of any media organization's source of funding.

The matter came up during the Question Hour when the ruling party MNA Zaib Jafer asked if Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) received foreign funds to broadcast/telecast/ advertize certain programs/advertisements in 2012-13. If that is the case she wanted to know the “the total amount along with the details of programs/advertisements made so far.”

Minister for Information, Broadcasting and National Heritage Pervaiz Rashid (picture) told the eighth session of the lower house that PEMRA has not received any foreign funds on account of broadcasting/advertisements aired by satellite TV channels in 2012-13.

While clarifying the role of Press Information Department, the minister said PID is only concerned with the control and placement of federal government advertisements.

“We do not have any record of the source of funding of any media organization,” according to the minister's written answer.

In the same sitting the minister also gave a breakdown of new newspapers and TV channels launched since June 2013 – the month the PML-N took charge of the federal government after winning the May 11 General Elections.

Replying to a question by MQM MNA Muhammad Muzammil Qureshi on the number of new newspapers and TV channels granted permission for working since June 2013, the minister said 12 new newspapers/periodicals have been placed on the Central Media List (CML).

They are: daily Kashmir Link (Muzaffarabad), daily Business News (Multan), dailies Adan and Nawa-e-Usman (Peshawar), weekly Sports Round-up (Islamabad), dailies Jehan Pakistan, Wateen and Promotion (Islamabad), daily Al-Barkat News (Rahim Yar Khan), and daily Imroz (Quetta).

The minister said no new TV license has been granted since June last year.

KEY POINTS:

• PML-N government lacks records of media funding sources.
• PEMRA did not receive foreign funds for broadcasts in 2012-13.
• 12 new newspapers/periodicals have been registered since June 2013.
• No new TV licenses granted since last year.
• The Information Ministry controls federal government advertisements.