JournalismPakistan.com | Published May 11, 2012
Join our WhatsApp channel
ISLAMABAD: Media ethics were discussed and debated at length Friday at a seminar that also marked the first phase of Pakistan program to support ethical journalism.
The Coalition for Ethical Journalism is a network for media and journalism in Pakistan which is part of a new global campaign to strengthen standards in media. On the occasion, a new website pakmediaethics.org was also launched.
The event, held at the South Asian Free Media Association (SAFMA) office, was chaired by Muhammad Ziauddin, Executive Editor of The Express Tribune and Aidan White, General Secretary of the Coalition for Ethical Journalism, Global Editors Network.
Ziauddin said it was an endeavor to debate and discuss the issues of media ethics in Pakistan. “The objective is to develop a consensus document that would have the consent of the owners of media organizations, the editorial decision-makers, newsroom staff and reporters.
“It is our considered belief that remaining within a universally accepted code of ethics the media organizations can still compete among themselves for larger circulation and higher ratings.”
In his introduction, part of a document given to the seminar participants, White said fierce competition between television channels and the pressure to deliver continuous 24-hour news has led to what many believe is an intolerable sacrifice of standards in journalism.
“The supreme test of ethical journalism comes when disaster strikes….but media can be casual about ethical responsibilities in moments of crisis,” White wrote.
He cited examples of reporting on the recent Bhoja Airlines crash in Islamabad and Maya Khan’s reckless journalism on Samaa TV in which she and some like-minded women were filmed hounding couples in a public park.
“The incident confirmed the view held by many people that media act with impunity.”
White wrote: “Ethics are crucial for all media workers – as well as owners and managers….everyone in media should examine their basic moral and political principles; be aware of their responsibilities; and be accountable to their audience.”
The aim he said was to demonstrate that media care; help media become accountable and support a culture of self regulation.
The seminar was attended by senior journalists, representatives of organizations dealing with media and others.
July 08, 2025: As Pakistani authorities move to block YouTube channels of journalists, censorship tightens. Yet, social media has emerged as a defiant force, keeping the spirit of free speech alive despite increasing state control.
July 08, 2025: The Supreme Court of Pakistan has acquitted a murder accused, ruling that confessions made to the media while in police custody are inadmissible. Justice Athar Minallah emphasized due process and transparency in legal proceedings.
July 08, 2025: The Pakistan government has approached a court seeking the removal of several YouTube channels operated by prominent journalists, accusing them of spreading false information and provoking unrest against state institutions.
June 11, 2025: Pakistan celebrated a narrow win over Bangladesh, but beneath the jubilation lies a deeper crisis—from sidelined veterans to a collapsing domestic structure—signaling an urgent need for cricket reform.
June 11, 2025: Journalists walked out of the post-budget press conference in Islamabad to protest the absence of a technical briefing and the government's dismissive behavior, calling it unacceptable and intolerable.
May 31, 2025: Dr. Nauman Niaz has issued a defamation notice to Shoaib Akhtar over derogatory remarks made during a recent broadcast, reigniting a longstanding media feud between the two prominent figures in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan has demanded the full repeal of PECA, citing its vague language, coercive powers, and threats to free speech and digital rights in Pakistan.
May 30, 2025: The Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists (PFUJ) has condemned the murder of journalist Syed Mohammed Shah in Jacobabad, calling for urgent justice and improved safety for media professionals in Sindh.
May 19, 2025 PJS reports 219 Palestinian journalists killed in Israeli attacks since October 7, with 30 women among the victims. Over 430 were injured and 685 family members were killed. Read more on the systematic targeting of media in Gaza.
May 15, 2025 Discover the legacy of Samiullah Khan, Pakistan’s legendary "Flying Horse," whose breathtaking speed and artistry redefined hockey. From Olympic glory to World Cup triumphs, his story is one of myth, movement, and magic.
May 04, 2025 Algerian authorities suspend Echorouk News TV for 10 days after it used a racist slur against African migrants. ANIRA demands an apology, calling it a violation of human dignity.
May 04, 2025 NCHR and MMfD launch a journalism fellowship to train reporters on digital rights & gender inclusion in Pakistan. Supported by UNESCO, this initiative aims to bridge the gender digital divide. Apply by May 15, 2025!
April 23, 2025 Discover Dr. Nauman Niaz’s In A Different Realm: Story of Quadruple & Triple Centuries 1876–2025, a profound exploration of cricket's most monumental innings, blending historical analysis with poetic narrative.