The new government of Pakistan Muslim League - N (PML-N) has announced that the controversial Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), introduced by the previous government, will be disbanded.
Newly-appointed Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyam Aurangzeb made this announcement while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, a short while after taking oath as the minister. She added that the government would enact no black law undermining the public's constitutional right to freedom of expression. She clarified that the PMDA would be abolished in whatever form it exists.
She also announced that a joint action committee would be formed to look into media's problems and forge a solution that would be acceptable to all parties concerned.
Further, the minister said that only Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) would regulate the media, and no other body would be formed for the purpose.
PMDA, a proposal floated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government last year, was termed an attack on free speech and independence of media by rights group.
Newly-appointed Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyam Aurangzeb made this announcement while addressing a press conference in Islamabad, a short while after taking oath as the minister. She added that the government would enact no black law undermining the public's constitutional right to freedom of expression. She clarified that the PMDA would be abolished in whatever form it exists.
She also announced that a joint action committee would be formed to look into media's problems and forge a solution that would be acceptable to all parties concerned.
Further, the minister said that only Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) would regulate the media, and no other body would be formed for the purpose.
PMDA, a proposal floated by the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government last year, was termed an attack on free speech and independence of media by rights group.