Won't Promote Digital Media at the Expense of Print and Electronic Media: Attaullah Tarar

(Digital Itla) Federal Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Attaullah Tarar, stated that while digital media has become a self-sustaining forum, print and electronic media cannot be ignored in the pursuit of its advancement. He clarified that the growth of digital platforms must not come at the cost of newspapers and television.

The Federal Minister attended a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting, chaired by Senator Sarmad Ali, where he briefed attendees on social media, digital media policy, and various issues concerning the media industry. Tarar shared that the initial social media policy created in 2021 was later amended in 2022, and the federal framework has also been adopted by various provinces.

The Information Minister noted that digital media is currently self-sufficient in the country and generally does not require direct financial assistance. He added that a third-party verification system has been introduced to verify views and other engagement metrics to ensure complete transparency. He further mentioned that the government only advertises as much as necessary, and its top priority remains the welfare of media house employees.

The minister stressed that the government is striving to ensure no employee faces unemployment amid rapid digital growth. He highlighted the responsibility toward Islamabad's beat reporters and journalists as part of his official duties. Giving an example, he mentioned that when Suno News laid off some workers, the government suspended their advertisements; following subsequent dialogues with the management, multiple employees were successfully reinstated.

Tarar reiterated the government's stance that whenever advertisements are issued, they should directly ensure the welfare of the media organization's employees. He stated that a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is in place with the Pakistan Broadcasters Association, requiring media houses to clear their employees' outstanding dues as soon as the government releases payments.

He observed that social media users range from 12-year-old children to 70-year-old elders, yet newspapers and television remain the foundational sources delivering content to social media platforms. The Information Minister concluded that if fast-growing digital media is to be strengthened further, care must be taken to ensure it does not diminish the significance of print and TV, emphasizing that the digital wings of traditional newspapers hold the primary right to digital platforms. Under the Advertisement Policy 2024, the government aims to increase the digital inclusion of newspapers while maintaining a healthy balance across all media sectors.