Chairman Press Council of Pakistan and former judge of Lahore High Court Raja M. Shafqat Abbasi, chaired a meeting here on Friday to review the rules and policies of the council for their proper implementation.
The meeting was attended by Business Recorder Editor Wamiq A Zuberi, Vice Chairman, Pakistan Bar Council Abdul Lateef Afridi, Secretary General of the Council Sarmad A Ali, Chief Editor daily Jurrat, Mukhtar Aaqil, Chief Editor Kaleem, Jawed Mehar Shamsi, Chief Editor Diyanat, Najmuddin Shaikh, Chief Editor Daily Qaumi Akhbar, Ilyas Shakir, Resident Editor Daily Nawa-i-Waqat, Saeed Khawar, Chief Editor Daily Nau Sijj, Ms Abbasi, Bureau Chief, daily Mehran, Bachal Laghari and others, said an official statement.
The meeting showed commitment that apart from finalisation of the rules and regulations of the PCP they would work for making it an effective and vibrant institution for the redressal of the grievances of public as well as of the media persons and for establishing good media practices.
It was recommended in the regulations that in order to make the proceedings in a transparent manner any member having interest in the complaint will not participate in the proceedings. It was also suggested that the PCP may take suo motu notice in any matter or in development likely to affect independence of the press in the public interests.
Any person before filing a complaint to the council has to give 15 days notice to the concerned newspapers. Later, the Chairman PCP visited the APNS office to exchange his views with the members of the society. He was of the view that in today's world nobody could deny the importance of media. He stated that we can be proud of achievement of media in Pakistan.
He said the high regard/status of media in our society is due to continuous efforts by media person. He said media is a major source of information now a days and hoped that the newly-formed council will be an effective tool to address the issues relating to freedom of press and enforcement of ethical code of practice. Media has become the first pillar of the state now a days by playing a vital role in strengthening the democratic values and institutions in the country.
In reply to a question whether electronic media should come within the ambit of the Press Council or Media Council, the chairman said that if the other stakeholders agree, necessary amendment can be made by the Parliament in this regard. To another question regarding the suspension of declaration of newspapers in case of violation of ethical code the chairman stated that power of suspension is provided in extreme or extraordinary circumstances under the law. Shafqat Abbasi stated that he did not believe that press council should have teeth or stick in its hands for the enforcement of ethical code of practice rather he believes that moral authority is more important.
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