PEMRA working on code of conduct for media, says information secretary

 JournalismPakistan.com |  Published 11 years ago

The Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority is formulating a code of conduct for media with input from media houses. The National Assembly's committee emphasizes the importance of constitutional values and national interest in media laws.

Summary

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA) is working on a code of conduct for media, a parliamentary body was told on Tuesday but the government also maintained it would be easier to implement the code if formulated by media houses themselves.

Secretary Information and Broadcasting Dr. Nazir Saeed told the National Assembly's Standing Committee on Information and Broadcasting about this. He pointed out that if media houses themselves work on formulation of code of conduct, it will make its implementation easier.

The committee’s meeting was chaired by MNA Marvi Memon, according to Radio Pakistan.

The committee finalized a 10-member legal taskforce and four to six months' timeframe to conclude its recommendations on media laws. The committee advised the taskforce to keep constitution, national integrity, national interest and freedom of expression as important elements while recommending laws.

The committee gave “heritage, electronic, print, broadcasting, copyright, classical media, below the line advertising, journalists and any other media-related laws to the taskforce for review”.

KEY POINTS:

• PEMRA is drafting a media code of conduct.
• Self-formulation by media houses is preferred for better implementation.
• A 10-member legal taskforce has been finalized.
• The taskforce has a timeline of four to six months for recommendations.
• The committee emphasized freedom of expression as a key element.