Punjab Assembly Speaker and PML-Q leader Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi has warned Prime Minister Imran Khan to be wary of advisers who are “misleading him and creating a chasm between him and the media.”
Elahi expressed grave concern about the PTI’s advice to its supporters not to watch some TV networks’ programmes, calling it “a choice that will deny the ruling party a balanced coverage of its policies and point of view.”
“I ask Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the PTI leadership to reconsider their decision,” he added, adding that the beauty of democracy is the diversity of viewpoints.
He also raised concern over the federal government’s plan to limit advertising in some newspapers and television stations, ostensibly because of their perceived resistance to an ordinance amending the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA).
“It’s unfortunate when news organizations are singled out for their editorial policies. Government advertising is a public trust, and it should not be used to attack certain news outlets while benefiting others unduly.”
He said he doesn’t understand why media outlets are being targeted since Prime Minister Imran Khan has already charged him with media mediation on behalf of the government to tackle the difficult issue of PECA.
