ISLAMABAD(National Times)- Lawmakers on Thursday expressed serious concern over the persistent non-payment and delays in disbursement of salaries and other dues to media workers, directing that all outstanding payments across the industry be cleared without further delay.
They emphasised that employees associated with the media industry should not be made to suffer on account of outstanding liabilities owed by government institutions.
The issue was raised at a meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by MNA Pullain Baloch at the Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation (PBC) headquarters.
The committee observed that timely payment of salaries was a fundamental responsibility of media organisations and stressed the need for all concerned authorities to take effective measures to protect the financial rights of media workers.
The panel sought comprehensive details of salaries and other financial dues pending against media organisations.
It also directed the Press Information Department (PID) to provide details of payments made to print and electronic media outlets, including the amounts paid, outstanding payments and the status of pending claims.
The committee also expressed concern over the prolonged delay in completing a PBC shortwave transmitter project in Karachi’s Landhi area, which was approved under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) during the 2006-07 financial year.
It sought a detailed report on the project’s current status, expenditure incurred so far, remaining financial requirements, reasons for the delay and a timeline for its completion.
The panel also decided to summon officials from the finance and planning divisions to explain the non-release of funds for the project.
The lawmakers directed the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) to formulate a comprehensive and clearly defined code of conduct for morning shows.
The proposed code should provide guidelines on the nature of content, language, treatment of sensitive issues, participation of guests and overall editorial standards, while ensuring that television programming remained consistent with applicable laws and regulatory requirements.
It also directed the PBC to introduce programmes and news bulletins in all regional languages on Radio Pakistan.
The committee further directed Pemra to furnish comprehensive details of pending liabilities of television channels.
