Media and democracy: Speakers stress importance of ethics

There is no need for a new code of ethics for the media because an adequate code already exists: PCP Chairman

MULTAN: “Media people should realise their responsibilities in publishing and broadcasting stories. Carelessness on their part can cause a lot of confusion,” Press Council of Pakistan (PCP) Chairman Raja Shafqat Abbasi said on Monday. He was addressing a seminar titled Responsibilities of Media in a Democratic Society at the Bahauddin Zakariya University. Abbasi said that the access to information and freedom of the press were basic rights under the Constitution. “Media are playing an important role. There is no need for a new code of ethics for the media because an adequate code already exists,” he said. BZU Vice Chancellor Prof Khwaja Alqama said that the society needed tolerance and patience which can be attained through education. He urged the media to realise its responsibilities in a democratic society. Journalist Jabbar Mufti said that democracy was better than dictatorship and survival of the free media was linked to democracy.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 20^th, 2012.