Democracy cannot function without free media: Asad Umar
Last updated on: 15 September,2021 05:43 pm
Democracy cannot function without free media: Asad Umar
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) - Federal Minister for Planning Asad Umar has said that democracy cannot function without independent media adding there is always room for improvement in every system.
Addressing a function on the occasion of World Democracy Day, the federal minister for planning said that media has to play a role for the promotion of democracy as it is facing challenges all over the world. He said more steps need to be taken to promote democracy in the country.
Asad Umar said that in a democratic system every person is answerable, democracy is not complete without independent judiciary and it cannot function without free media.
He said that fake news is spreading on a daily basis and if it damages someone’s personality or bring negativity in the society there must be a system in place to stop such news.
Minister said that information minister Fawad Chaudhry should listen to media owners and journalists. No information minister should have the power to stop a journalist from telling the truth. It strengthens democracy when people consider themselves part of the system, he added.
He said the judiciary could be free from government influence but not above the law. Using parliament for personal gain is not called democracy, it is something that has to be constantly defended.
Addressing the function, Federal Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari said that the opposition is playing politics on every bill and threatening the government to save its theft.
She said that the opposition wants a system in which there is corruption and rigging. The opposition does not know Imran Khan, he will hold a transparent election, she concluded.