Media bodies reject PMDA law; dub it unconstitutional, draconian

The representatives of media organizations have rejected the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA), terming it unconstitutional and draconian law aimed at curbing the freedom of press, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

Different media organizations including All Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS), Council of Pakistan Newspapers Editors (CPNE), Pakistan Broadcasters Association (PBA), Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) and Association of Electronic Media Editors and News Directors (AEMEND) released a joint press statement on Wednesday in which they rejected the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority and termed the concept as an unconstitutional and draconian law against the freedom of press and an expression and step towards imposing the state control to regulate all segments of media under over-centralized body. 

The representatives of the media organizations vehemently objected to the proposed PMDA as it appears to be aimed at subjugating the freedom of press and expression. 

According to the statement, the major stakeholders believe that the PDMA is an attempt to tighten the Federal Government control over the media from one platform and ignores the fact that print, electronic and social media are separate entities, each with their own defined features. The move to bring them under state control smacks of an authoritarian streak that should have no place in a democratically-elected dispensation. 

The representatives of the media organizations have urged upon calling the joint session of the Senate and the National Assembly to reject the proposal completely.