Govt firmly believes in ‘freedom of expression’: information minister
ISLAMABAD (92 News) – Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting Shibli Faraz has said the PTI government firmly believes in the fundamental, constitutional and legal right of freedom of expression.
In his tweets in connection with “World Press Freedom Day” being commemorated on Sunday (May 3, 2020), he expressed the determination to provide all possible facilities for the promotion of an independent and responsible journalism.
The minister said freedom of expression is the basis of a civilized democratic society and fundamental right of a human. He noted that a responsible media plays a pivotal role in the development of a society. Shibli Faraz applauded the immense sacrifices rendered by the journalists for the sanctity of the pen.آزادیِ اظہار مہذب جمہوری معاشرے کی اساس اور انسان کا بنیادی حق ہے۔یوم آزادی صحافت کے موقع پر قلم کی حرمت کیلئے لازوال قربانیاں دینے والے صحافیوں کو خراج تحسین پیش کرتا ہوں۔شہدائے صحافت کو سلام جنہوں نے اپنے لہو سے حُریت فکر کی شمع کو فروزاں رکھا۔
— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) May 3, 2020
World Press Freedom Day is being observed with the aim to pay tribute to the journalists around the world sacrificing their lives in the line of duty on Sunday (May 3, 2020). Theme of the Day for this year is ‘Journalism without Fear or Favour.’ In his message on World Press Freedom Day, United Nations Secretary General António Guterres said the media has a crucial role in helping the people make informed decisions amidst the coronavirus challenge. He said the media provides an antidote to the misinformation surrounding Covid-19. Meanwhile, press freedom is under a severe and sustained attack in Indian Occupied Jammu and Kashmir where journalists are being booked under draconian laws for reporting the truth. The Indian government is using different tactics to stifle the media in order to hide the ground realities in the occupied territory. Gag on internet has actually cut off Occupied Jammu and Kashmir from the outside world. India has banned social media networking sites to suppress public dissent in the occupied territory. World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in December 1993, following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference. Since then, 3 May, the anniversary of the Declaration of Windhoek is celebrated worldwide as World Press Freedom Day.پاکستان تحریک انصاف کی حکومت اظہار رائے کے بنیادی، آئینی اور قانونی حق پر کامل یقین رکھتی ہے۔آزاد اور ذمہ دار صحافت کے فروغ کے لیے تمام ممکنہ سہولتیں فراہم کرتے رہیں گے۔ذمہ دار پریس معاشرے کی تعمیر و ترقی میں کلیدی کردار ادا کرتا ہے۔
— Senator Shibli Faraz (@shiblifaraz) May 3, 2020
