Political censorship lifted from PTV, says information minister

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Fawad Chaudhry says that the ‘political censorship’ is more in place at the state television as “envisioned by Prime Minister Imran Khan to make media in the country free and independent.”

In his tweet, Mr. Chaudhry said: “All political parties and their leaders are getting coverage on PTV #EidAladha activities of opposition leaders also covered by PTV.”

All political parties and their leaders are getting coverage on PTV#EidAladha activities of opposition leaders also covered by PTV

Political censorship lifted from @PTVNewsOfficial & @RadioPakistan

Credit goes to PM @ImranKhanPTI and @fawadchaudhry pic.twitter.com/KzpYAn0qck

— Fawad Chaudhry (@FawadPTIUpdates) August 22, 2018

On Tuesday, the minister said the government had also issued directives for complete editorial independence of state media, adding that drastic changes will be visible in Information Department in the next three months.

“As per vision of @ImranKhanPTI Ended political censorship on PTV, clear instructions issued for a complete editorial independence on PTV and Radio Pakistan, drastic changes [will] be visible in Information Dept in coming 3 months Inshallah,” he posted.

In a meeting in Islamabad yesterday, the information minister also proposed introducing an English-language channel of state-run radio on Internet, particularly for international audience.

He asked the Information Ministry to play a proactive role in promoting a positive image of Pakistan globally, and directed organisations concerned to make efforts to generate revenue by improving their programming and content.