Govt believes in free media, better working atmosphere : Kaira 

      LAHORE, Oct 20 (APP): Federal Minister for Information
and Broadcasting Qamar Zaman Kaira Saturday said the government
believed in free media and all out efforts are being made to
ensure better working atmosphere for newsmen.
      He said "We believe in freedom of media and are taking
all possible measures to ensure the welfare and better working
conditions for media workers."
     The Information Minister held out the assurance in a meeting
with the delegation of newly-formed Desk Editors Forum Lahore at
the Governor's House.
     Prime Minister's Adviser Chaudhry Aslam Gill, DEFL President
Aslam Chaudhry and other PPP leaders were also present on the
occasion.  
      The Information Minister said "I have always advocated the
cause of journalists' community and people working in various
sections of newspapers or television."
      Earlier, DEFL President Chaudhry Aslam briefed the Federal
Minister about the problems and dismal working conditions of
sub-editors.
      He said sub-editors/desk editors do the real job and make
a news item publishable by editing/refining its text and facts
but despite being over 65 percent of total mediapersons, they
were still being ignored and unheard.
      He said for the first time in Pakistan's media history,
the DEFL initiative was taken from Lahore with a prime objective
of striving and securing the rights of people working in the
newsroom. The forum has now more than 600 members, he added.
      On request of the DEFL, the Federal Information Minister
assured them of his participation the oath-taking ceremony of
Forum's office-bearers after Eidul Azha.
      The Minister also assured them of all possible support
to resolve problems and improving their working conditions.