News
Sunday, March 16, 2008
Freedom of expression will strengthen democracy: Musharraf
* IFJ delegation meets president, says Pakistan has free media
RAWALPINDI: President Pervez Musharraf said on Saturday that he looked forward to openness and freedom of expression, as he believed it would have a positive impact on democracy. He was talking to a three-member fact-finding mission of the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) at his Camp Office. IFJ General Secretary Aidan White led the delegation. White said his visit to Pakistan was “productive”, and he found that media in the country was free. “I see openness and optimism in Pakistan, which has been encouraged by you,” White told President Musharraf, acknowledging his contribution to the freedom of press. He also spoke about the safety and security of journalists and the need for having a national dialogue on ethical journalism, which the president called a “vital requirement”. The other two members of delegation include Sunanda Deshapriya from Sri Lanka (who also represents the International News Safety Institute) and Mike Dobbie from the Media Entertainment and Arts Alliance in Australia. The Brussels-based IFJ is the world’s largest organisation of journalists. Established in 1926, the federation represents around 600,000 members in more than 120 countries. President Musharraf during his recent four-nation visit to Europe had invited the IFJ to Pakistan to see the ground realities of the freedom of media in Pakistan. app
Courtesy Daily Times