DRAFT

Government of Pakistan
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting

NATIONAL MEDIA POLICY

The National Media Policy provides broad guidelines and framework for
the promotion of a free, independent and a responsible media in the country. The Policy
not only upholds the freedom of expression as a supreme guiding principle, as enshrined in
the Constitution of Pakistan, but also seeks to augment efforts to develop and strengthen
media institutions as an essential pillar of the new democratic dispensation in Pakistan.
While on the one hand, the National Media Policy provides a fair and workable framework
to safeguard the cultural milieu of the country from the relentless onslaught of foreign
media, on the other, it visualizes growth of informative and entertainment programs for the
development of Pakistan society as a moderate and enlightened people within the scope of
Islamic values and the peculiar Pakistani ethos. This Media Policy clearly renounces the
state monopoly of the media and provides equal opportunity to all the media players from
the private world. This policy enables both print and electronic media to play the role of a
catalyst to impact social and economic development of the country. This policy also aims
to protect the ordinary citizens from the excesses of media and to provide awareness for
their problems, rights and obligations.

The National Media Policy has been framed in consultation with inputs
from all the major stakeholders. More importantly, all the major stakeholders have been
brought on board for the smooth implementation of this policy through the proposed
National Media Coordination Committee. This Committee shall comprise representatives
of public and private sector media organizations, professional media associations and
important members of the society. This Committee shall not only coordinate and supervise
the implementation of this policy but also meet on quarterly basis to review the
implementation status as well as suggest ways and means to achieve objectives of the
Policy.

(Secretary)

Islamabad: dated 29 May 30, 2006

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NATIONAL MEDIA POLICY

In pursuance of the constitutional provisions, the Government of Pakistan

has already promulgated/notified a new set of media laws and rules governing the
operations and development of media in Pakistan (Annexure-I, II & III). This Media Policy
is essentially a brief enunciation of these laws/rules in a concise manner. This policy also
attempts to fill up the gaps which may be there either in the law or the rules. More
importantly, this policy spells out the framework for evolving policy instructions for the
development of Media in an inter-active manner with all the stakeholders.

2. Vision

National Media Policy aims to employ communication as a dynamic

continuum--guided by the past, responsive to the present and geared for the
future. It upholds the principles of national unity, cultural diversity,
equality, freedom of expression, access to information, fair media
competition and futuristic planning to confront the emerging challenges in
the development of media in Pakistan.

3. Mission Statement

National Media Policy (NMP) is to promote a free, independent, dynamic

and public spirited media in Pakistan.

4. Policy Guidelines – General Provisions

4.1 The freedom and independence of media shall be upheld and

protected in consonance with the provisions of the Constitution and
the media laws/rules. While creating greater awareness of the
constitutional provisions on freedom of expressions and press, the
responsibilities and constraints laid down under the constitution
need to be brought home to all the stakeholders.

4.2 The media shall, while promoting and protecting cultural norms of
Pakistani society, uphold the Islamic values as a supreme concern of
our society.

4.3 The media shall support the mass awareness efforts on national
issues.

4.4 While encouraging participation of the people in freedom of

expression this policy shall also provide for a workable
mechanism for the accountability of the media organs both in
private and public sector.

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4.5 All the public sector media institutions and regulatory bodies shall
frame/update rules and regulations and develop standards to ensure
implementation on policy guidelines and media laws.

4.6 All words, terms, phrases etc., shall have the same meanings and
connotations as contained in the media laws/rules.

5. Policy Guidelines - Electronic Media.

5.1 Political, sectarian and religious organizations shall be precluded

from owning and operating, expressly or in disguise, any
broadcasting station.

5.2 A comprehensive frequency allocation strategy shall be separately

developed for all broadcasting operations by the relevant
government organs i.e. PTA, Armed Forces, PEMRA and M/o
I&B.

5.3 The National Frequency Allocation Plan shall clearly define the
geographical coverage areas of broadcast/telecast stations.

5.4 Violation of conditions governing frequency allocation or other

provisions of this policy shall constitute grounds for withdrawal of a
frequency.

5.5 Foreign broadcasts shall not be allowed to be distributed/viewed in

Pakistan unless specifically allowed by PMERA in consultation
with the M/O I&B.

6. Policy Guidelines - Electronic Media Programme Content

6.1 The National Media Coordination Committee, as constituted in

Section 10 shall generally decide the percentage of local and
foreign content to be allowed to be aired by various channels.

6.2 The Electronic Media shall always devote a specific percentage of

its time to public affairs programs, including national, local
news and community information;

6.3 The Electronic Media shall ensure that program content reflects
Pakistani cultural norms and supremacy of Islamic values;

6.4 The Electronic Media shall promote the use of Pakistan

languages spoken in the coverage area of the station;

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6.5 The Electronic Media shall produce programmes that fully protect
consumer rights.

6.6 The Electronic Media shall significantly contribute to enhance the

dignity and respect of womanhood and the rights and needs of the
children.

7 Policy Guideline - Landing Rights

7.1 While granting landing rights to Indian origin Satellite TV

Channels, the principle of reciprocity shall be observed subject to
the conformity of their program content to national, cultural,
religious and social values of Pakistan;

7.2 While granting landing rights to multinational Satellite TV channels

showing Indian content, PEMRA shall ensure that these
channels conform to our religious, social and cultural values.
They should include atleast 20% Pakistani Content in their program
chart which should gradually increase up to 50% by atleast an
annual increment of 10%.

7.3 Pakistani Satellite TV channels licensed by PEMRA may include

certain percentage of Indian content, which should normally not
exceed 10% of their total program content.

7.4 PEMRA shall frame Rules and Regulations for implementation of

guidelines in para 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 above with the concurrence of
the National Media Coordination Committee.

8 Policy Guidelines - News Agencies

8.1 News agencies in private sector shall be encouraged to

operate.

8.2 Private sector news agencies shall avail the concessions/incentives

for their development, as allowed to print media on such terms and
conditions as determined by the Federal overnment/Provincial/Local
Governments

9. Police Guidelines - Advertising

9.1 All advertisements by print and electronic media including cyber

shall be designed in conformity with the laws of the country.

9.2 Production of culturally appropriate advertisements using local

talent shall be encouraged.
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9.3 The formation of consumer organizations shall be encouraged.

9.4 Production of infomercials providing sufficient information to the

consumers on products shall be promoted.

9.5 The M/o I&B shall regulate the placement of public sector
advertisement in print and electronic media.

9.6 On behalf of the Government of Pakistan, the Secretary, M/o

Information and Broadcasting shall have the exclusive right to
impose ban on operations of any broadcast media. Such like
restrictions shall only be imposed if such broadcast media is found
involved in any anti state activity or working against the interests of
Pakistan.

10. National Media Coordination Committee

10.1 In order to ensure effective coordination and implementation of

National Media Policy guidelines, there shall be a 24-member
National Media Coordination Committee in the Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting comprising the following: -

1. Secretary, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Chairman

2. Secretary, Ministry of Interior Member
3. Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs Member
4. Secretary, Ministry of Defence Member
5. Secretary Ministry of Culture Member
6. Chairman, PEMRA Member
7. Managing Director, Pakistan Television Corporation Member
8. Director General, Pakistan Broadcasting Corporation Member
9. Managing Director Associate Press of Pakistan Member
10. Director General External Publicity Member
11. Director General/PIO, Press Information Department Member
12. Director General ISPR Member
13. Director General, Cyber Wing, M/O I&B Member
14. Secretaries for Information and Culture, Punjab,
Sindh, NWFP, Balochistan and AJK. Members
15. President, APNS Member
16. President, CPNE Member
17. President, Pakistan Broadcasters Associations Member
18. President, All Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Member
19. President, Pakistan Advertising Association Member
20. Director General, Internal Publicity, M/o I&B Member/Secretary

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10.2 The National Media Coordination Committee shall meet quarterly

basis in each calendar year.

10.3 The National Media Coordination Committee shall formulate

recommendations for submission to the government for
development and growth of media industry in the country.

10.4 The National Media Coordination Committee shall also report

progress on the implementation of guidelines contained in the
National Media Policy to the Federal Government.

10.5 The National Media Coordination Committee shall also regulate the
advertising industry in consultation with the stakeholders.

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Annexure-I

Constitutional Provision

Article 19 of the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan “Every

citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there
shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restriction imposed
by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or
defence of Pakistan or any part thereof, friendly relations with foreign
states, public order, decency or morality or in relation to contempt of court
or commission or incitement to an offence”.
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Annexure-II

Provisions of Rules of Business, 1973

In order to ensure freedom of Press and promotion of responsible Print and

Electronic Media in the country as envisaged in the Constitution of Islamic
Republic of Pakistan, the Federal Government entrusted a number of task to the
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, as provided in the Rules of Business
1973. These are: -

i) Policy relating to internal publicity on national matters;

ii) Broadcasting including television;
iii) Production of films on behalf of the Government, its agencies,
Government controlled Corporations, etc.;
iv) Press relations, including delegations of journalists and other
information media;
v) Provision of facilities for the development of newspaper industry;
vi) Policy regarding government advertisement; control of
advertisement and placement;
vii) Audit of circulation of newspapers;
viii) Liaison and coordination with agencies and media on matters
concerning Government policies and activities;
ix) External Publicity;
x) Training facilities for Radio and Television personnel.
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Annexure-III

Media Laws

a). Press, Newspaper, News Agencies, and Book Registration

Ordinance-2002.
b). Press Council of Pakistan Ordinance –2002.
c). Freedom of Information Act – 2002.
d). Defamation Ordinance – 2002.
e). Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
Ordinance – 2002.
f) Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA)
Rules - 2002
g). Condition of (working journalists) Services Act, 1973;

Note: The draft National Media Policy is placed on the website www.infopak.gov.pk for
information, comments and suggestions before finalization.
Please send your comments, suggestions to: webmaster@infopak.gov.pk