ISLAMABAD: Minister for Information and Broadcasting Sherry Rehman Thursday said the government would provide all possible assistance and congenial atmosphere to media, enabling it to fulfil responsibilities in an effective manner.

Media needs to adopt self-regulation and develop a code of conduct itself in view of its growth in the country, she said while addressing a function held here in connection with inauguration of National Broadcasting Service by Radio Pakistan.

This 17-hour Service would provide news and special current affairs programmes from 7.00 am to 12 might night.

She said Ministry of Information would act as a facilitator and not regulator and added “whatever is required by media the Ministry would facilitate it.”

Sherry Rehman pointed out that soon after coming to power, the government of Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) initiated a series of measures to remove curbs that were placed on media by the previous government.

The Minister said the government has removed many curbs on the media and it is in the process of removing the other black laws curtailing its freedom.

Similarly, there is no restriction on official media which is borne out by the fact that the opposition gets over 50 per cent coverage in the news and current affairs programme of Radio Pakistan.

Sherry Rehman urged Radio Pakistan and other media channels to focus on the real challenges facing the country like economic downslide, extremism and dictatorship.