Consensus on media code of conduct

ISLAMABAD: The second round of discussions between the government committee set up to devise a code of conduct on the directions of the Supreme Court of Pakistan and the Pakistan Broadcasters Association was held here on Friday under the chair of Advisor to PM Irfan Siddiqui at his office.
Special Advisor to PM Barrister Zafarullah Khan, advocate Ashter Ausaf Ali, Information Secretary Muhammad Azam, Law Secretary justice (retd) Muhammad Raza Khan and IP Director General Nasir Jamal attended the meeting. The PBA was represented by its Chairman Mir Ibrahim Rahman, Senior Vice Chairman Mian Amir Mahmood and Dr Basit Sheikh. The participants did a comparative study of the code of conduct set by the government side and that formulated by the PBA and developed a consensus. Now a sub-committee and the PBA will form the new code of conduct
Addressing the participants, Siddiqui lauded the PBA role in forming the new code of conduct. He said the government aimed at establishing such media as could play its constructive role supporting the national interest. The government also wanted that the media play a role beneficial to education and information.
Supporting the government approach, Mir Ibrahim said the PBA would fully support the introduction of the new code of conduct. “But we want an independent and effective system to implement the new approach,” he said The supreme court is set to hear the code of conduct case on June 16. It is expected that the draft of the new code of conduct will be presented during the next hearing.