Government Explores Legal Redress for Journalist Layoffs

Ali Jabir

Islamabad: Caretaker Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Murtaza Solangi, said on Tuesday the government would explore maximum options to redress the problems of the journalist fraternity and seek legal action, following the Constitution, to restrict forced job layoffs of media persons.

Speaking to the media after the walkout of journalists during the 334th session of the Senate in the press gallery, he expressed full solidarity with the journalist community regarding the forced dismissal by some media houses.

Solangi said the legal provisions would be explored to take punitive action and extend support to safeguard the rights of media workers.

“I stand with journalists and media workers; the issue of forced dismissals of journalists is not acceptable,” he said.

He said he had an earlier discussion with the Chairman of the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) regarding the forced dismissal of journalists and media workers.

He said the meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting would be held on Friday afternoon, adding that “this issue will also be discussed with the Chairperson of the Standing Committee, Senator Fauzia Arshad.

Murtaza Solangi said the interim government would take all the steps under the law to effectively tackle the issue.

“The government’s sympathies are with media workers. It is our responsibility to implement the legal protection that media workers and journalists have in the Constitution,” he said.