Information minister's blunt response to Mazhar Abbas' 'death of journalism' tweet

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 31 October 2018

Senior journalist Mazhar Abbas criticized the government's inaction on media closures. Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry stated it's a private matter between journalists and media owners.

Summary

ISLAMABAD – Senior journalist and analyst Mazhar Abbas’ request seeking the attention of the government towards the closing down of media outlets and the perennial issue of journalists losing jobs got a cold response from the federal information minister.

In his tweet, Abbas painted a gloomy picture of journalism in Pakistan. “Death of a newspaper or tv channel is death of Journalism. It is quite disturbing that hundreds of media workers lost their jobs without been (sic) paid their legal dues. Mr. Information Minister please give some attention to your Ministry as well.”

However, Fawad Chaudhry (pictured), Minister for Information and Broadcasting, made it clear that it was a matter between the working journalists and the private TV channels. “How running Private TV Channels and newspapers is my job sir? Under what law I shld doll (sic) out public money to save private business? Media workers must lodge complaints with the courts and courts ll (sic) decide claims”.

However, Abbas clarified he was not looking for a bailout package but wanted the government to implement the relevant laws.

“Lèts debate and discuss it. Owners and government both are responsible and victims are thousands of workers. I never demand aný bailout package from the government but to enforced (sic) labour and PEMRA law.”