Terms of Reference No. A
To consider the role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other Government agencies in ensuring freedom of print and electronic media and whether or not there is information and material brought before the Commission to justify the continued functioning of the Ministry, consistent with Article 19 of the Constitution.
New and alternative names for Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
The Commission recommends that in order to reflect a re-structured Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, new and alternative names are also considered for this Ministry. (i) The traditional association of the title : “Ministry of Information and Broadcasting” with the production of propaganda for the Government of-the-day is so strongly identified with a one-sided, power-centric […]
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Substantive reform of Federal and Provincial Information Ministries
The Commission concludes that the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the four Provincial Departments of Information require substantive re-structuring by which:- i. certain departments and functions should be either abolished, or significantly reformed, in order to ensure that the continued functioning of this institutional framework does not impede or obstruct the fulfilment of […]
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Converged a wide range of Media and Systems
The unprecedented relationship between information and the people symbolized by the emergence of the cell-phone as a compact hand-held device have converged a wide range of media and systems. These include the telephone, the camera, the computer, the satellite, the internet, battery-powered illumination, email, cinema, TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, books, social media such as Twitter, […]
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Recommendations by the Commission regarding TOR No. A
The following Recommendations have been arrived at after the Findings, Observations and Summaries as recorded in the preceding text of this Section of the Report which deals with TOR No. A: 1. The Commission is of the view that the scope and the scale of information, the detail and speed with which information is generated […]
Read MoreSummary by the Commission of arguments in favour of Perspective Three
Summary by the Commission of arguments in favour of Perspective Three i.e. the complete abolition of the Federal Ministry of Information and the Broadcasting and the Provincial Departments of Information. 1. That in the 21st century, the generation of information has become so exponential and the nature of media, broadcast media, print media, social media, […]
Read MoreSummary by the Commission if arguments supporting Perspective Two
Summary by the Commission of arguments for Perspective Two i.e. that certain parts of the Federal Ministry of Information and the Provincial Departments of Information should be dismantled/abolished or reformed, and subsequently the Federal Ministry and the Provincial Departments of Information should continue to exist. 1. That the present status of the Audit Bureau of […]
Read MoreSummary by the Commission of arguments supporting Perspective One
Summary by the Commission of arguments supporting Perspective One i.e. to justify the continued functioning of the Ministry, consistent with Article 19 of the Constitution: 1. That the scale of complexity of both the Federation of Pakistan and four Provinces in terms of territory, population, demography, economic activity, agriculture, industry and the service sectors, aspects […]
Read MoreExistence of Ministry of Information in SAARC members state
In every Member-State of the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) including Pakistan, which is a founding Member of SAARC since 1986, there exists a Ministry of Information either known by that name, or by a name similar to it. [agroup style=”” id=435] [accordion title=”Afghanistan” id=435] Ministry of Information and Culture. A 2004 media […]
Read MoreExistence of Ministries of Information in non-Islamic countries
Certain non-Islamic countries are also cited as instances of major nation-States where Ministries of Information exist, with recognized functions either under the name of the “Ministry of Information” or under the names of “Ministry of Culture/Arts/Heritage/Media” etc. but the latter of which partially, or substantially perform the role of an official oversight entity for the […]
Read MoreGovernment and Media in Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s countries
Referring to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC)’s countries, a sample selection of 25 of over 50 member-States is listed as examples where Ministries of Information or Ministries of Culture (covering Information as well) continue to exist in 2013. Such countries include Afghanistan, Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Malaysia, Morocco, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, […]
Read MoreRelationship between Government and Media in India
It is stressed that India, being the largest democracy in the world, continues to maintain the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting as a subject of the Union Government in New Delhi. The Indian Information Ministry has 24 departments, organizations and functionaries to administer.
Read MoreRelationship between Government and Media in United States
Reference is also made to the US Government funding of the Voice of America (VOA) network of the USA which is, by law, mandated to project information only outside the United States in order to promote friendly relations with overseas countries and build global support for the USA.
Read MoreRelationship between Government and Media in United Kingdom
Referring to the direct or indirect relationship between the Governments of advanced countries and the subject of media and information, it is contended that in the United Kingdom, the Central Office of Information existed up to 2012 in order to provide communications and marketing support to the British Government. The office was abolished in 2012 […]
Read MoreArticle 159 of the Constitution of 1973
Article 159 Broadcasting and telecasting of the Constitution of 1973. (1) The Federal Government shall not unreasonably refuse to entrust to a Provincial Government such functions with respect to broadcasting and telecasting as may be necessary to enable that Government: (a) To construct and use transmitters in the Province; and (b) To regulate, and impose […]
Read MoreArticle 70 (4) Federal Legislative List and Article 99 (3) of the Constitution of 1973
The text of the Articles and Entries referred here are as follows: Article 70 (4), Federal Legislative List, Fourth Schedule, Part-I, Entry-7: 7. Posts and telegraphs, including telephones, wireless broadcasting and other like forms of communications, Post Office Saving Bank. Article 99 (3) of the Constitution of 1973: 99. Conduct of business of Federal Government. […]
Read MoreReason and Material offered in support of first perspective
Reasons and material offered in support of the first perspective by which the existence and continued functioning of the Federal Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and the four Provincial Departments of Information are said to be entirely justified, comprised elements listed in the following text: That the Constitution of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan specifically […]
Read MoreThree broader perspectives about the role of Government and its entities in respect of Article 19 and 19 (A)
3. On the basis of material brought before the Commission on TOR No. A, material both verbally expressed, and in written form, the following three basic, broad perspectives reflect three different views about the role of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and other Government agencies in respect of ensuring freedom of print and electronic […]
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Article 19 & 19 (A) of The Constitution of Pakistan
Article 19 of The Constitution of Pakistan : Freedom of speech, etc. Every citizen shall have the right to freedom of speech and expression, and there shall be freedom of the press, subject to any reasonable restrictions imposed by law in the interest of the glory of Islam or the integrity, security or defence of […]
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