JournalismPakistan.com | Published November 02, 2021 | Cherie Conela
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ISLAMABAD—Daily Hum Awam, a regional newspaper published from Swat valley, has run an advertisement to announce "indefinite closure" as the provincial government stopped issuing advertisements.
"All readers, staff, and journalists associated with Daily Hum Awam are hereby informed that the newspaper is facing financial difficulties due to the lack of government advertisements by the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Department," the advertisement stated. It highlighted that "Government advertising was halted in June 2020 and March 2021 respectively, and now, from August 1, 2021, advertising has been reduced unnecessarily."
"The Information Department said that the advertisements of the newspaper have been stopped on the directives of the chief minister," the paper claimed. "Moreover, the Information Department is responsible for the non-payment of lakhs of rupees for already published advertisements."
According to the paper, freedom of the press depends on the economic freedom of the press. "When regional newspapers receive regular advertisements, they will be strong enough to support democracy effectively. However, this is not possible under the current government."
The paper said various attempts had been made to resolve the issue, but the secretary information prolonged the matter due to personal obstinacy.
"Despite months of economic hardship, the newspaper tried its best to keep the public informed, which unfortunately can no longer be continued," the paper regretted, announcing that "The newspaper is being closed indefinitely."
The paper advised all media workers attached to the newspaper to arrange alternative employment for themselves. "The organization apologizes to all the workers and readers," the ad said.
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