With tech revolution in sight, TV has just 10 to 15 years left: Fawad

ISLAMABAD: Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry believes that the television has just 10 to 15 years left as new technological revolution will bring digital media to the throne in a decade.

In a meeting with representatives of Council of Pakistan Newspaper Editors (CPNE), Chaudhry said time was approaching near where digital platforms will be the prime medium in years to come.

He underlined that print media was not the future and government will ponder over it.

The minister stated that the ruling government of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf plans to bring changes to the media landscape of Pakistan.

On Aug 29, Fawad Chaudhry had announced formation of Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (PMRA), unifying all previous bodies operating as separate entities to regulate media matters.

During a press talk here, the minister said Press Council and Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra)  will be merged to form a single body. He said the new authority will comprise top officials and seasoned experts.

He said PMRA will regulate electronic media, print media and the social media. Chaudhry reiterated that censorship was no more in place in the state-run TV, adding that new changes will soon be witnessed in the PTV.

The minister said a review committee had been formed to look into matters of advertisements being given to media houses. “Previous governments were being run through ads, but this time the mechanism is going to change,” he added.

Previously, Mr. Chaudhry had said the ‘political censorship’ has been lifted from 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.”

The PTI government has already announced major overhauls in government departments and promised to streamline all institutions.