ASSOCIATED PRESS OF PAKISTAN

The Associated Press of Pakistan (APP) started its life in 1947 with the independence of Pakistan. Initially it was run through a Trust, but owing to financial bottlenecks, it was taken over by the Government through an Ordinance called; "Associated Press of Pakistan (taking over) Ordinance 1961", on 15th June 1961, to put it on a sound financial footing. The journalists were allowed to retain their independent status under this ordinance. They were not regarded as government or semi-governme... nt employees and were governed by Labour Laws, which also encompass Newspaper Industry in Pakistan. APP was later converted into Corporation on October 19, 2002 through an Ordinance renaming it as Associated Press of Pakistan Corporation (APPC) and lending a status of semi government media government. It is no longer administered by the labour laws. The rules of APPC are pending notification by the Establishment Division and it is administered through the Managing Director, appointed by the Government. Notwithstanding its conversion into Corporation, the News Agency continues to enjoy and avail the professional freedom. APPC is country’s premier national news agency which comprises highly qualified and professionally competent editorial staffers. APP remains committed to excellent journalistic traditions by objective and accurate reporting, observing code of ethics with regard to responsible journalism. A contradiction of an APP story is a rare phenomenon. The News Agency is mandated to ensure coverage of all important developments and events sans any prejudice on diverse fronts within the country and abroad with objective professional approach. Beginning its life in small buildings in Karachi, Lahore and Rawalpindi with the reporters relying on bulky typewriters and noisy tele- printers, the APP over the years has grown into a state-of-the-art and modern news organization. Computers have replaced typewriters and the Agency's offices are connected through Local, and Wide Area Networks. From a transmission speed of 50 words per minute, it now provides news at a speed of 1200 WPM, most of which is directly fed into the computers of the subscribers simultaneously throughout Pakistan and overseas. Currently APP has its own buildings at Islamabad and Lahore. The news agency is playing a leading role by supplying authentic and credible news to the print and electronic media round-the-clock. Around one thousand news, over two hundred pictures and clean feed of Video News Service (VNS) containing important events and developments are put on wire daily for onward consumption by the media subscribers. The number of news reports, released to the National Media daily in English, Urdu, Sindhi and Pushto languages have recorded significant improvement with complete domination over all other news agencies in the country. Print and pictorial news service of APP unabatedly wrest prominent space in the national and regional English, Urdu, Sindhi and Pushto papers. APP’s Special Correspondents, posted at key destinations abroad including Washington, New York, London, Beijing and New Delhi are making effective contribution towards promoting country’s image and stance on various national and regional issues in their true perspective. With strong editorial network at the Headquarters, Provincial Bureaus, Stations and District Correspondents, the news agency is rendering important professional contribution to cater to the requirements of print, electronic and pictorial media in various fields. Five new stations including Sialkot, Abbotabad, Sargodha, D.I.Khan and Bahawalpur have been set up by APP besides expanding the network of the District Correspondents to ensure extensive coverage of political, economic and social activities at the grassroots level. Enjoying sizeable amount of freedom, APP is comprehensively and extensively covering all important developments and engagements of the ruling coalition as well as opposition political parties with unbiased approach. Objectivity and credibility of the news are the hallmark of the sound professional footing of the news agency.More