Govt cannot give bailout package to channels in crisis: Firdous

Minister for Information and Broadcasting Dr. Firdous Ashiq Awan Thursday said the government cannot provide bailout packages to private TV channels or newspapers in crisis.Responding to point of orders in Senate, she said that the government wished the media to flourish but it cannot provide bailout packages to private channels to pull them out of crisis.She said that when a private TV channel applies for license it provides an undertaking of it being a self sufficient entity to PEMRA.Dr Firdous said that due to economic recession many channels were facing budgetary constraints owing to the fact
they were not getting advertisement from the private sector.However, she said Press Information Department (PID) gives advertisements to private TV channels and newspapers in accordance with the regional quota.
She further said that as the Wage Board award has been announced the Pakistan Broadcasting Authority would determine how to check the mushroom growth of private media.
She said that small TV channels would have to merge with big media for their survival, adding that PBA would sort out this issue of small channels and the government cannot dictate them rather it can supplement their efforts.
Referring to a regional Balochi channel she said that the government would support media for strengthening democratic institutions.
Earlier, senators from Balochistan rising on points of order said that a private Balochi TV channel which is the only channel in Balochi language was facing financial crisis due to non provision of advertisement.

This Articel Orignaly Published at APP