ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Arif Nizami has directed PEMRA to ensure balanced and unbiased coverage of general elections in the electronic media in the light of the Supreme Court and Election Commission directives.
He was chairing a meeting of Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority in Islamabad on Thursday.
The minister said caretaker government will take all possible steps for ensuring free‚ fair and transparent elections.
Arif Nizami also called for revision of policy regarding issuance of licenses for new radio and TV channels.
Earlier‚ the Minister was given a detailed briefing on PEMRA’s working and its role in regulating electronic media.
The minister was informed that a meeting was held in Election Commission to ensure balanced and fair coverage of elections‚ and a special cell for this purpose has been set up.
Chairman PEMRA Rashid Ahmed said that the authority will provide all its resources and material to the Election Commission cell for ensuring balanced converge of the elections.
He said that the PEMRA has forwarded the ECP code of conduct copies to media houses.
Presiding a meeting at Press Information Department in Islamabad‚ Informaiton Minister Arif Nizami said that the prime focus of the caretaker setup is to ensure free‚ fair and impartial election.
He said that PID will not only provide professional assistance to the Election Commission but also facilitae media in this regard.
He asked the PID to remaim impartial and work for creating a positive enviornment for media so that it can provide a level playing field to all political parties.
Arif Nizami directed the PID to evolve a mechanism for transparant and equitable advertisement policy.
Earlier Principal Information Officer Imran Gardezi briefed the minister about functioning of PID.
