ISLAMABAD: Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Information Dr Firdous Ashiq Awan said on Thursday that freedom of expression was a constitutional right of all citizens. But at the same time, she said the media should also understand its responsibility and protect interests of the state.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe responsible role of media should be promoted and it is attached with self-regulation,\u201d she said while briefing the National Assem\u00adbly Standing Commit\u00adtee on Information & Broadcasting.<\/p>\n

The meeting, held at the office of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regula\u00adtory Authority, discussed a recent act of hooliganism outside the Islamabad offices of\u00a0Dawn<\/em>, which was followed by similar protests in other cities.<\/p>\n

The issue was raised by Dr Nafisa Shah of the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP), who demanded an explanation from the PM\u2019s special assistant regarding the government\u2019s position over the aggressive protest demonstrations which included blocking of entrance to\u00a0Dawn\u2019s<\/em>\u00a0offices.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis government belie\u00adves in freedom of information and wants to facilitate media in executing its professional duties,\u201d Dr Awan said, adding that at the same time the media also had some obligations to fulfil.<\/p>\n

She said the first responsibility of the media was to protect interests of the state. \u201cThis is not about the government or a political party, but about the state.\u201d A section of media had gone against interests of the state also in the past, she said, apparently referring to\u00a0Dawn<\/em>\u00a0without naming the newspaper.<\/p>\n

The PM\u2019s special assistant lauded the responsible attitude of Pakistani media, especially in matters related to the Kashmir issue, and all sensitive matters, including the topic of blasphemy.<\/p>\n

\u201cBut this story [a reference to a report recently published in Dawn] has damaged the image of the state and the protest was in reaction to it by concerned citizens.\u201d The procedure of the protesters was not right, she said, adding: \u201cWe acknowledge that the right to criticism should not be in the form of threats.\u201d<\/p>\n

She informed the committee that she had received information about the protests soon after they started outside the offices of\u00a0Dawn<\/em>\u00a0and\u00a0DawnNews<\/em>\u00a0on Monday. She said she called officials of the Islamabad administration and police and urged them to provide protection to the building and employees of the media house.<\/p>\n

\u201cEventually, the protesters dispersed peacefully after registering their protest,\u201d the meeting was informed.<\/p>\n

The chairperson of the committee, Mian Javed Latif, responded in a soft tone, saying that there was some confusion in the country.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe leadership of the country has been speaking about sensitive issues, including terrorism and Al Qaeda, abroad. But when people and media start writing in the similar way then it is taken as a threat,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n

Dawn<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Stories<\/strong><\/p>\n

The Express Tribune: ‘Media Should Play its role responsibly’<\/a><\/p>\n

Business Recorder:\u00a0PTI Govt fully believes in freedom of expression, media independence: Firdous<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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