A large number of journalists have gathered at D-Chowk Islamabad to demonstrate support for the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA) law.

They have carried placards and are raising slogans in support of the proposed legislation aimed at protecting journalists’ rights.

Talking to Radio Pakistan correspondent Haider Abbas, President Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists Professional Mazhar Iqbal said the proposed law will help check fake news and protect media workers’ rights. He said no government in the past ever thought about the rights of journalists; and as now reforms are being introduced, media owners are opposing it. He said a few journalists who are protesting against the proposed law are doing all this at the behest of the owners of their media organizations.

Chairman Journalist Joint Action Committee Rana Imran Latif said reforms are always opposed by a group of vested interests. He said the journalists who are opposing the proposed legislation are working on the agenda media organizations’ owners.

Another representative of media workers said they are supporting the proposed law because it will discourage fake news and prevent owners of media organizations to dismiss their employees from service on whims.

He said the ordinary workers have gathered here to support the law. He said we are negotiating with the government on the proposed law, and every issue can be settled through negotiations.

Source: Radio Pakistan