Islamabad May 2, 2008: PPP Co-Chairman Senator Asif Ali Zardari has said that the PPP will not only uphold freedom of the press as an essential element of democracy but also seek to expand its frontiers in the days to come.

He said this in his message on the Press Freedom Day falling on May 3, 2008. Following is the text of his message.

"On the occasion of Press Freedom Day I wish to compliment the journalist community for their relentless struggle in freeing the media from the shackles imposed on it by autocratic regimes.

"I would also like to avail this opportunity to reiterate that the Pakistan Peoples Party stands for freedom of press as an essential value of democracy, transparency, good governance and accountability. Now that the PPP is in the government it will not only uphold press freedom but also expand its frontiers.

"It is a measure of our commitment to media freedoms that during the first days of government formation a bill has been submitted in the Parliament to undo the draconian changes made in the Pemra law in the wake of November 3 assault on democracy. And to protect the journalists the coalition government has decided to set up a special fund for journalists who lay down their lives in the line of duty.

Senator Asif Ali Zardari said that the PPP believes that a free media is critical for tearing apart the shroud of secrecy around grave violations of freedoms and human rights. He said that the Freedom of Information law would be reformed so as to allow journalists and citizens access to information to expose corruption, wrong doings and violations of human rights.
 

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