ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) on Tuesday proposed a code of conduct for media houses with an aim to ensure fact based responsible reporting of terror-related incidents and safety of the journalists who are tasked to cover such incidents. The code of conduct was unanimously prepared by members and representatives of the journalists associations including Hamid Mir, Afzal Butt, Khursheed Abbasi, Rana Jawad, Rao Khalid, Shahrayar Khan, Ali Raza Alvi and Bilal Dar. Focusing on generic coverage the code of conduct underlined the need to set up an editorial board in all media houses to develop a content policy on reporting and analysis of the terrorist incidents. A self-regulatory Media Complaint Commission comprising senior journalists should be formed and no content should be printed/aired that directly or indirectly sympathises or justifies the actions and ideologies of the terrorist groups, individuals and banned organisations. It stated that statements and interviews of individuals from banned organisations or their sympathisers should not be allowed in media and there should be follow up coverage focusing on the victims and survivors of these attacks and how they have suffered due to the actions of the terrorists. “No re-enactment of terror related incidents should take place in media without approval of the media house editorial board. The law enforcement agencies should also set up their own media cells to facilitate journalists on terrorism related issues and provide factual information,” it said. It was also underlined that the media houses must provide life insurance coverage for their employees and DSNGs and all field staff should be equipped with bulletproof jackets, helmets and proper gas masks, and other required material. It said: “Post-trauma counseling services should be provided to any of the staff member psychologically affected by the terrorist incident. The media houses should guide parents to keep children away from any programming or live coverage that engage in sensitive material on terrorism.” As far as the live coverage is concerned the code of conduct stated every channel should have special correspondent to report on terrorism and factual statements from the official sources should be given preference over all unofficial accounts. “Live coverage showing disturbing images or visuals should be avoided. Casualty numbers should be announced through authentic and accountable sources. The efforts should be made to telecast filtered/edited content from the survivors,” it maintained. There should be no attempts to interview victims or rescue operatives or personnel of law enforcement agencies during any operation after the terror incident. The term ‘Taliban’ should not be used as a generic term to describe the alleged terrorists; unless it is proven that they are members of a group that refers to itself as Taliban. The code of conduct also urged upon the media houses not to air or print footage/image that may incite fear, panic or violence among the people. There should be no pre-emptive speculation on a terrorist incident unless confirmation is received from the authorities. PFUJ President Afzal Butt after preparation of the code of conduct said the media has responsibility to educate the public and increase awareness about evils and consequences of terrorism and extremism. “Responsible coverage of the terror incidents and safety of the media workers should be prime responsibility of the media houses and the code of conduct has been prepared to effectively serve this purpose,” he said. He said glorification of the terrorists in the media has adversely affected the war on terror so there is a need to make an end to this trend and instead promote those views that can help eradicate the menace of the terrorism from the society.
