Code of Ethics and Self-regulation: Pakistan’s media organizations and journalist community at large oppose to the concept of Press Council, fearing this would make state intervention in regulating the media unavoidable. The journalist unions have purposely made the existing Press Council nullified by not appointing their representatives to the monitoring council. Instead an independent self-regulatory mechanism is preferred. Some initiatives have been taken in this regard. The main issue with regard to forming and initiating such a process seems to be the lack of coordination and collaboration between the major organizations representing different stake holders of the industry. It is imperative that these organizations get together and work for a common Code that would be the basis for any self-regulatory mechanism. In electronic media sector PEMRA stands for the regulatory mechanism through tough laws and procedures, which are now being subjected to review, according to PEMRA officials. In any situation, the regulation of television and radio is being done according to the telecommunication procedures, but the regulatory structures could be adopted through the consultation of the industry players. The main feature in this context is the Code of Conduct. The present Code of Conduct of PEMRA laws have no fundamental democratic features. It has had neither any industry input nor any other mode of consultation from media experts. CONCLUSION: This is an era of satellite televisions, internet connectivity, and mobile telecom. To summarize, media and journalists can facilitate stabilize and strengthen the country by playing educational and informative role and by imparting information to the masses as information is power and only a well-informed society can develop a positive approach towards fife. The objective of media and young journalists freedom can be realized only when public trust and confidence reposed within the media is respected and protected by the media itself by acting as a true watchdog, keeping an eye on the govt. on behalf of the general public.“Freedom of conscience, of education, of speech, of assembly, is among the very fundamentals of democracy and all of them would be nullified if freedom of the press be successfully challenged,” maintained US President Roosevelt
Posted on: Fri, 29 Nov 2013 15:55:04 +0000
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