ISLAMABAD – Chaudhry Fawad Hussain, the Federal Minister of Information andBroadcasting, visited the head office of Radio Pakistan in Islamabad onWednesday to discuss the future of the state-owned broadcaster.
A meeting was conducted where the minister was briefed about the currentworkings of Radio Pakistan and its potential plan of action for the future.Hussain also met the Director General of Broadcasting Corporation Pakistan,Shafqat Jalil. The Director-General informed the information minister aboutbudgetary issues that the institute was facing. He further briefed theminister about the progress of its News and Current Affairs channel, aswell as Program and Engineering wings.
Furthermore, Hussain was also informed about the poor conditions of thecurrent set-up. He was told about the aging transmitters in use, and howthe system should be modernized and updated via digital transmitters asthat would enable more coverage and hence reach more areas across Pakistan.
Keeping in mind today’s modern media landscape, as well as the growingpopularity of new platforms like social media, the information ministeremphasized that Radio Pakistan should use these platforms such as Twitter,Facebook, and YouTube to maximize their reach.
Hussain further said that a YouTube TV Channel should be established forPBC. He also advised Radio Pakistan to start an English Channel.
The minister informed everyone in the meeting that a proposal is also underconsideration for the constitution of a joint Board of Directors of PBC andPTV.Media University to be Established
The members in the meeting were further informed about the government’sdecision of making a Media University which will produce competentgraduates in the field of news, reporting, drama and other various culturalareas. Earlier the information minister was hosted by the Director Generalof Broad Casting Corporation Pakistan, Shafqat Jalil to various departmentsof the institute such as the National News Room, Social Media Desk, Studiosand FM-94 music channel.
The minister praised the role of Radio Pakistan and its role as aresponsible broadcaster. The Director-General assured the informationminister that the department is working on the broadcasting of an EnglishChannel as well as an Online TV channel to expand its outreach.
Radio Pakistan is already active online with live streaming of its newsbulletins in both English and Urdu Languages on Facebook, and with the newsbulletins also being uploaded regularly on YouTube.