No authentic data on the number of workers laid off by newspapers, NA told

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published: 14 December 2018

During a National Assembly session, Minister Chaudhry Fawad Hussain stated there are no authentic figures on media layoffs. He explained that PEMRA does not regulate hiring practices of media companies.

Summary

ISLAMABAD - Minister for Information and Broadcasting Chaudhry Fawad Hussain on Friday avoided telling the National Assembly about the number of employees dismissed from service by private TV channels and newspapers since January 1, 2018.

When Pakistan Peoples Party Parliamentarians’ MNA, Syed Javed Ali Shah Jillani, asked about the number of employees laid off by private TV channels and newspapers, the minister explained the functions of electronic media regulator PEMRA.

The PEMRA law, according to the minister, did not provide for micromanagement of the private media. “PEMRA does not interfere in hiring and firing of employees of its licensees.”

The written reply also pointed out that print media/newspapers do not fall under PEMRA’s regulatory ambit.

However, the minister added that representative bodies of media have been issuing contradictory statements on the sacking of workers. But, he said, there is no authentic figure or data available with the ministry to ascertain the correct number of employees sacked by print media houses.