By: Yasir Amin Janjua
Islamabad: A special emergency meeting of the Executive and Governing Body of the Rawalpindi/Islamabad Bureau Journalists Association (RIBJA) was held today, attended by representatives of Balochistan-based newspapers stationed in Islamabad.
Participants strongly condemned the restrictions being imposed on regional and local newspapers in Balochistan and announced their full support for the Balochistan Newspapers Action Committee.
RIBJA President Sardar Shahid, General Secretary Syed Asif Hamdani, Finance Secretary Haji Aziz, Information Secretary Faiza Shah Kazmi, and senior governing body member Qurban Satti, among others, issued a joint statement after the meeting.
They demanded that the Balochistan government immediately withdraw the draft policy proposing the publication of government advertisements through BPPRA. “Print media is the backbone of democracy,” they stated, adding that the importance of local newspapers cannot be undermined as thousands of families depend on them for their livelihood.
The RIBJA emphasized that local newspapers play a critical role in highlighting public and provincial issues and exposing irregularities in both governmental and non-governmental institutions.
They called for the restoration of the previous advertisement distribution system to prevent the economic destruction of the regional newspaper industry. Additionally, they demanded the allocation of a separate digital media fund for Balochistan, similar to the federal model.
RIBJA reaffirmed its unwavering support and solidarity with the ongoing struggle of the Balochistan Newspapers Action Committee.
