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Pakistani lawmakers have called for substantial reinforcement of the Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) to enhance its regulatory capabilities amid growing concerns about press freedom and the spread of misinformation across the country.
During a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting in Islamabad on January 27, committee members emphasized the need to strengthen the PCP through improved human resources, increased financial backing, and upgraded technological infrastructure.
The committee, chaired by Member National Assembly Pullain Baloch, received a comprehensive briefing from PCP Chairman Arshad Khan Jadoon about the council’s operations and challenges. Jadoon explained that the council consists of representatives from various stakeholders, including media organizations, parliament, government agencies, and civil society.
While asserting that the PCP is fully functional in its role of monitoring print media, handling complaints, and conducting public awareness campaigns, Jadoon outlined several significant constraints hampering the council’s effectiveness. These obstacles include the lack of dedicated office space, limited funding, insufficient staffing, and inadequate technological capabilities.
“We need the committee’s support to fulfill our regulatory responsibilities effectively,” Jadoon stated, highlighting the growing challenges in Pakistan’s evolving media landscape.
The PCP chairman confirmed that the council has taken action against several major newspapers for ethical violations, demonstrating its commitment to maintaining journalistic standards. He also noted that notices had been issued to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa regarding comments made about certain media personnel, indicating the council’s willingness to address politically sensitive matters.
Committee member Mehtab Akbar Rashdi expressed skepticism about the state of media freedom, remarking, “Given the current political environment, it is difficult to believe that the media is operating without pressure.” Her comment reflects widespread concerns about press freedom in Pakistan, which has faced significant challenges in recent years according to international media watchdogs.
While acknowledging the PCP’s efforts, the committee urged the council to strengthen its role in protecting freedom of expression and combating the spread of false information. The rise of digital media platforms has created new challenges for traditional regulatory bodies like the PCP, which primarily focuses on print media in a rapidly digitizing information ecosystem.
The committee also directed the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to develop service rules for PCP employees and establish mechanisms to address the recurring issue of delayed or unpaid salaries for print media workers—a problem that has plagued Pakistan’s media industry for years amid economic difficulties and declining advertising revenues.
In a related matter, the committee requested updates from the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) regarding its Public Sector Development Programme project in Karachi. PBC Director General Saeed Ahmad Shaikh assured members that engineers are working to complete the project using local resources, with the technical committee scheduled to hold its third meeting in early February.
The recommendations come at a crucial time for Pakistan’s media industry, which continues to navigate political pressures, economic challenges, and the rapid digital transformation of news consumption patterns. Media experts suggest that strengthening institutions like the PCP is essential for maintaining press standards and protecting journalistic integrity in an increasingly complex information environment.
The committee’s directives signal parliamentary recognition of the critical role that regulatory bodies play in ensuring a responsible and free press, which remains fundamental to Pakistan’s democratic development.
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10 Comments
More robust media regulation could improve information quality in Pakistan, but must be approached carefully to avoid stifling the free press. Curious to see the PCP’s specific plans.
Strengthening the PCP’s capabilities is an interesting step, but the challenge will be implementing it in a way that doesn’t compromise press freedoms. Tricky balance to strike.
Enhancing the PCP’s authority seems prudent given the spread of misinformation, but the details will be important. Need to ensure safeguards for legitimate journalism.
Agreed. Regulatory bodies can easily overreach, so it will be crucial to get the right checks and balances in place.
Increased PCP oversight may help counter misinformation, but the specifics will be crucial. Ensuring a free and vibrant press should be a top priority alongside media accountability.
Reinforcing the PCP’s role in media regulation is a complex issue. On one hand, controlling misinformation is vital. On the other, press freedoms must be protected. Will be interesting to see the nuances.
Interesting move to strengthen media regulation in Pakistan. Improved PCP oversight could help address misinformation, but must be balanced with press freedoms.
Yes, it’s a delicate balance between media accountability and maintaining an open press. Curious to see how they implement these changes.
Expanding the PCP’s authority could be a double-edged sword. While addressing misinformation is important, we must ensure legitimate journalism isn’t unduly constrained.
Absolutely. Regulatory overreach is a real concern, so the details of how this is implemented will be crucial.