Print Media Policy In Pakistan Prepared By Sakim Ali Hassan Shahzada Ameen Ahmed Babar

Media in Pakistan – historical background The media in Pakistan dates back to pre-partition years of British India, where a number of newspapers were established to promote the partition agenda. The newspaper Dawn, founded by Quaid-e-Azam and first published in 1941. conservative newspaper, Nawa-e-Waqt, established in 1940. Pakistani print media came into existence with a mission to openly declare the idea of Pakistan, which was seen as the best national option.

Cont…… The first step in introducing media laws in the country was done by the then military ruler Field Martial Ayub Khan who promulgated the Press and Publication Ordinance (PPO) in 1962. More additions in the code of law were made to the PPO during the reign of General Zia Haq in the 1980’s. From 2002, under General Musharraf, print media faced a decisive development that would lead to a boom in Pakistan. In 1997 the total number of daily, monthly, and minor publications was 4,455 but by 2003, six years later, only 945 remained.

Currently News Papers Published in Pakistan Print Media English Newspapers Business Recorder The News Pakistan Observer Daily Times The Nation Pakistan & Gulf Economist Dawn The Statesman Herald (Magazine) The Print Media Comes Under the Information Ministry and The existing Information Minister is Mr. Qamar Zaman Kaira. Urdu Newspapers Jang Jasarat Phool (Magazine for Children) Khabrain Daily Millat Nawa-i-Waqt Akhbar-e-Jehan (Magazine)

Introduction the first printing press was invented in China, and the first printed newspaper was available in Beijing. Modern printing technology All over the world, over 45 trillion pages (2005 figure) are printed annually. Gravure Gravure printing is an intaglio printing technique, where the image to be printed is made up of small depressions in the surface of the printing plate. Digital printing: Digital printing accounts for approximately 9% of the 45 trillion pages printed (2005 figure) around the world.

Vision National Media Policy aims to employ communication as a dynamic continuum--guided by the past, responsive to the present and equipment for the future. It upholds the principles of national unity, cultural diversity, equality, freedom of expression, access to information, fair media competition and futuristic planning to face the emerging challenges in the development of media in Pakistan.

Mission Statement National Media Policy (NMP) is to promote a free, independent, dynamic and public spirited media in Pakistan.

Existing policy: Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defense of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign states, public order, respectability or morality, or in relation to contempt of court, commission of or incitement to an offense. Media can’t write against the state, because it s the duty of all people to save the state so this kind of news will be very harmful for the state. It is policy that media can’t give the statement against the Sectarian disputes, Because it creates violence and anger among the Sects. From the beginning the PPP stated policy is that the Media should be free from the government influence and formulate self made codes of ethics.

Hill Model of policy Analysis Define Problem Identify alternatives Quantify alternatives Apply decision Choose alternative Implement solution

Problem in the Print Media Policy: The current policies are not implementing properly because the freedom which was said to be given to the media are not still given properly, and the policies are just for the sake of name. The media is pressurize to publish the news that is in the favor of some political or some pressure groups or in the favor of the working government or bureaucracy. As all the previous governments done in the past to overcome the press, the PPP current government do the same thing to get the media under their thumb.

Alternatives The freedom and independence of media shall be upheld and protected in agreement with the provisions of the Constitution and the media laws/rules. The media shall, while promoting and protecting cultural norms of Pakistani society, uphold the Islamic values as a supreme concern of our society. The media shall support the mass awareness efforts on national issues.

Quantify Alternatives The print media will be free and do not published irrelevant news that creates violence, insurgency and dispute. Our country made for which purpose that we have our culture and norms and to uphold this Islamic values will be fulfilled. If print media give awareness about future then people can manage the uncertainty.

Choose Alternatives The freedom and independence of media shall be upheld and protected in agreement with the provisions of the Constitution and the media laws/rules.

Implement Solution To ensure the acceptance of the policies by both the parties, the government and the press. Which save the respectability or morality of the state. The surety of freedom will be given to the press media that they always wanted. The government would not use the media for their own interest they can use it for the state interest.