Marriyum Aurangzeb talks to media at National Press Club

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 21 April 2022

During her address at the National Press Club, Marriyum Aurangzeb discussed the historical challenges faced by journalists in Pakistan. She emphasized the need for reform and collaboration to address intolerance within the media industry.

Summary

ISLAMABAD—Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb, during her visit to the National Press Club, addressed the media persons under the 'Meet the Press' Program.

She said: "What happened to journalists, media workers, and media houses in the past three and a half years was a dark era as restrictions were imposed on freedom of expression, and journalists were kidnapped and tortured to satisfy the ego of one person."

According to her, the PTI government had not followed the due process for establishing the Digital Media Wing in the Information Ministry. Political workers were inducted in flagrant violation of rules and regulations.

She said that after the fall of the Imran Khan regime, 80 percent of employees at the Digital Media Wing resigned, which manifested that they were inducted in violation of rules.

However, she assured that those recruited in DMW under the rules should not worry as they would be integrated into the Cyber Wing of the ministry.

She urged the media to come forward to eradicate the prevailing culture of intolerance in the country.

"I would sit in Press Information Department two days a week to listen to the problems of media workers, and all members of the media are welcome there," she said while recalling cooperation with the media during the finalization of the 8th Wage Board Awards.

President NPC Anwar Raza, Secretary Khalil Ahmad Raja, Vice President Myra Imran, Joint Secretary Shakila Jaleel, and other journalists welcomed the minister on her arrival.