Islamabad: President Asif Ali Zardari emphasized the critical role of newspapers in a thriving democracy on National Newspaper Readership Day. He commended the All-Pakistan Newspapers Society (APNS) for promoting newspaper reading throughout the nation.
President Zardari stressed that informed citizens are fundamental to a robust democracy. Access to reliable information empowers individuals to make well-considered decisions in all aspects of life, he stated. Newspapers have played a crucial part in national discourse, informing the public, exposing wrongdoing, and upholding the public’s right to know, he added.
The president highlighted the significance of editors in ensuring responsible information dissemination, contrasting this with the rise of disinformation on social media. He underscored the value of traditional journalism’s ethical principles, especially in the current digital age.
President Zardari praised newspapers as symbols of trust in a rapidly changing media landscape, providing in-depth analysis and context. He expressed confidence in the ability of Pakistani newspapers to prosper, not through government assistance or corporate sponsorship, but through public trust.
He strongly encouraged young people to cultivate the habit of newspaper reading and urged educational facilities to promote this practice among pupils. The president also called upon the print media to maintain the highest ethical standards, emphasizing the importance of responsible press freedom.
President Zardari concluded with the hope that increased newspaper readership would contribute to a more informed and democratic Pakistan.