Quetta: The Balochistan Digital Publishers Forum held a key meeting in Quetta yesterday, chaired by Syed Ali Shah, the interim president of the forum. Key media representatives, including Sadiq Baloch of Azadi & Express, Jiand Sajjidi from Intikhab Newspaper, and Zafar Ullah Achakzai of Daily Qudrat, attended the session to address crucial media-related issues.
The meeting focused on the forum’s organizational activities, its manifesto, and strategies for the future. However, a major concern raised during the meeting was the proposed changes to the Balochistan government’s advertising policy. The forum members criticized the suggestion to upload government advertisements only on the Balochistan Public Relations Authority (BPRA) website instead of distributing them directly to media outlets.
The members expressed serious concerns about how this new policy could financially harm media organizations across the province and lead to the potential for increased corruption in government institutions. They highlighted that such changes could negatively impact the freedom and independence of the media in Balochistan.
The forum members extended their full support to the newspaper industry’s action committee, which is currently protesting against these changes. They emphasized the importance of defending free and independent media in the province.
In addition to the advertising policy discussion, the forum also reviewed membership applications from new digital media outlets wishing to join the platform. However, the forum decided to defer the final decision on these applications until the next meeting.
The Balochistan Digital Publishers Forum clarified that it serves as a platform for reliable and active digital media outlets in the province that adhere to professional standards and ethical practices. The forum assured that all new membership applications would be reviewed in accordance with its established principles.
Lastly, the forum decided to formally communicate the issues faced by digital media outlets in Balochistan to both federal and provincial authorities. This communication aims to encourage serious action from the government to address these challenges and ensure the growth of the province’s digital media sector.
