ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has rejected statements of federal Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry and Minister of State Farrukh Habib about its position on the proposed Pakistan Media Development Authority (PMDA).

PFUJ President Shahzada Zulfiqar and Secretary General Nasir Zaidi said in a statement on Tuesday that the ministers, who are supposed to promote freedom of the press and free speech and expression, had become a source of fake news.

“We have already conveyed our resentment and position on the PMDA and rejected it outrightly and vehemently, as we are the only representative and recognised federal body of media (personnel).”

They said it was astonishing that members of the federal cabinet holding responsible portfolios were using fake drawing room bodies, consisting of unrepresented and unelected persons, who are just misusing the name of PFUJ at the behest of unknown hands and for personal agenda.

Published in Dawn, August 25th, 2021