New code of conduct: PEMRA to start interactive session with media houses

ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) will launch an interactive learning programme titled ‘Code of Conduct: A Collective Responsibility’ with media houses and journalists from Monday.

“The purpose of this initiative is to have an open discussion on the electronic media’s code of conduct 2015, and to get feedback from stakeholder for improving Pemra’s regulatory function to bridge the gap with stakeholders,” Pemra Chairman Absar Alam told a news conference on Friday.

He said the first session will be held with local TV channels newsmen and staffers. He said in the next few months Pemra team will go to all the four provinces for these interactive sessions on electronic media code of conduct.

Replying to questions, Pemra chairman said the learning programme would be like a refresher course for the electronic media. “The electronic media had witnessed a mushroom growth and its staffers could not be provided proper training,” he said.

He said Pemra has been imposing fines on the violators of the code to bring improvement in the electronic media. He said the media houses’ owners should use this medium in a responsible manner, otherwise the people will lose interest in these channels.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2017.