Shamsul Islam Naz

Islamabad, Feb. 5 :- The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists has strongly opposed the All-Pakistan Newspaper Society demand of the extending advertisements of public sector institutions according to its own sweet will and choice.

The PFUJ said that such a demand is unethical, unconstitutional, and the APNS has no right to dictate the government to formulate policies only for the pleasure of a particular organisation, ignoring the rights of others and the demand also negates principles of equitable fair-play and non-discriminatory.

The PFUJ pointed it out that at present over 3000 newspapers and magazines are being published in the country, how can APNS suggest that government sector advertisements should be confined only to members of the APNS who are not more than 350.

The PFUJ further pointed out this is not the right of an individual, but government should have some parameters for distribution of advertisement amount which was being paid to newspapers from government exchequer and it is collected from the public in the shape of various levy.

Every newspaper which is not a member of the APNS, but was being published regularly and was paying salaries to its staff in time and as per laws and by implementing and respecting the laws should be given preference, rather than succumbing to the pressure of APNS and its members who are flouting laws, ignoring the verdict of the courts and resolutions adopted by the Senate, the National Assembly and the four provincial assemblies.

The PFUJ urged that the release of government advertisement be linked with the implementation of the wage award as well as labour laws to protect the rights of media workers.

Shamsul Islam Naz
Secretary General
PAKISTAN FEDERAL UNION OF JOURNALISTS
12-Nazimuddin Road, F-6/1
Islamabad, Pakistan
Phone Office +92(0)51 2870220-1
Facsimile +92(0)51 2870223
Cellular +92(0)300 8665523
http://www.shamsulislamnaz.com
http://www.pfuj.pk