PM lauded for setting up journalists welfare fund
MULTAN, Oct 7 (APP): The Journalists Welfare Fund set up by Prime Minister Syed Yusuf Raza Gilani shows his commitment to welfare of media persons and their families, says PM’s media coordinator, Khawaja Rizwan Alam.In a statement, he asaid that facilities under the Rs 200 million fund launched by the PM in Aug 2011 for the welfare of journalists would increase with the passage of time.The Rs 200 million fund is meant to provide financial assistance to families of martyred and injured journalists, for medical facilities and for marriage of their daughters.
Khawaja Rizwan Alam said that a proposed 100 percent raise in grant for media persons’ families in case of their death was under active consideration and hoped it would be approved.
 Khawaja said the PM himself had his Master’s degree in journalism and knows well the challenges and risks journalists were exposed to while on field duty for reporting.
 He said that no journalist, poet or writer was put behind bars for opposing the government nor any restrictions were imposed on TV channels or newspapers. Rather, the credit to repeal draconian media related laws goes to the PPP-led government and the government will also ensure free access of people to information through laws, he added.
 He said the government desired that journalists should express their thoughts and opinion with full independence and confidence.
 Khawaja said the government would continue to improve working conditions of media persons and hoped the journalist community would act in a responsible and careful manner in matters of national interest and security of the country.